Meall nan Cleireach

The walk up Meall nan Cleireach is properly straightforward - nothing like tackling Ben Nevis itself, which looms nearby. You're looking at a modest 2,621 metres of elevation, making this a solid half-day outing from Ballachulish rather than a full expedition. The path climbs steadily through open moorland with views that genuinely justify the effort. On a clear day you'll see right across to the grey-blue sprawl of Loch Leven and the Mamores beyond.

This is walkers' territory, not a spot to drag reluctant teenagers or small children unless they're genuinely keen on hills. The terrain itself isn't technical - it's the slog that sorts the committed from the casual, and there's no shelter to speak of once you're above the lower slopes. Allow three to four hours for a proper visit including the summit and descent, depending on fitness. It's free, obviously. Go when the midges aren't in full force, so spring or autumn tend to work better than high summer.

If you're based at one of the caravan parks clustered round the Ben Nevis area - Glen Nevis itself, Invercoe, or Linnhe Lochside just down the road - Meall nan Cleireach makes a sensible lower-level alternative when the big peaks are shrouded in cloud. It's close enough to access easily from Ballachulish but high enough to feel like a proper day in the hills. Worth doing if you've got the legs for it.