Meall Onfhaidh

The walk up Meall Onfhaidh doesn't announce itself as anything special until you're halfway there. Start from the Glen Nevis visitor area near Fort William and you're into proper hill country within twenty minutes - moorland, birch scrub, the works. The summit sits at 901 metres, which means you're not dealing with a Munro slog, but don't let that fool you into thinking it's an afternoon stroll.

The real appeal is the perspective it gives you on the Ben Nevis massif to the south. Meall Onfhaidh serves as a vantage point rather than a destination in itself, and that's precisely why it works. The views north towards Loch Linnhe and the Mamores are excellent on a clear day - which, let's be honest, is half the battle in the Highlands. Allow three to four hours for the round trip if you're reasonably fit. It's not a technically difficult hill but the terrain is steep in places and the paths can be boggy after rain.

Walkers of intermediate ability will get the most from this one. Families with younger kids might find it a bit relentless. There's no entrance fee - you just park and go. If you're based at Linnhe Lochside Holidays nearby, this works well as a proper half-day adventure that doesn't require driving far. The hill won't blow your mind, but it's a genuine Highland walk with decent views and far fewer people than you'll find on Ben Nevis itself.