Sgor Gaoithe

The walk up Sgor Gaoithe doesn't announce itself as anything grand - it's a modest peak in the Cairngorms that rewards effort more than ego. At 2,390 metres, it's high enough to feel like a proper climb but not so intimidating that you'll spend all day worrying about it.

The ascent from Grantown-on-Spey is straightforward if you don't mind a steady grind. Most people tackle it as part of a wider Cairngorms circuit rather than an isolated jaunt, which speaks volumes about its character. The summit views stretch across the plateau - moorland, distant peaks, and on a clear day that sense of being genuinely high up in wild terrain. On a murky one, honestly, you're just in cloud.

This is walker territory, not a tourist attraction in any conventional sense. There's no café, no visitor centre, no gift shop selling miniature cairns. What you get is honest Scottish hill walking - the kind where you're listening to grouse rather than tour groups. Families with older kids and proper boots will manage fine; younger children would find it a long slog without much payoff at the top.

If you're staying at Grantown on Spey Caravan Park, this makes a decent half or full day out. The town sits conveniently close, so logistics are painless. Allow three to four hours depending on fitness and whether you're dawdling for views. Spring through early autumn is sensible; winter adds serious complications unless you know what you're doing.