Sgùrr nan Spainteach

You're looking at one of those Scottish peaks that sneaks up on you - Sgùrr nan Spainteach sits in the Highland landscape near Kyle without much fanfare, but it's proper worth the effort if you're up for a solid walk. The name alone tells you something: it means "Peak of the Spaniards", supposedly named after Spanish soldiers who ended up in these mountains centuries ago, though the story's vague enough that half the locals will give you different versions.

The ascent is straightforward rather than technical - you're not scrambling up anything daft - but it's a real slog in terms of distance and elevation. The views from the top sweep across the Highlands in that raw, austere way that makes you understand why people become obsessed with Scottish mountains. On a clear day you can see properly far. On a claggy day, well, you're mostly admiring your boots.

This isn't a quick tick-box summit. Allow four to five hours for the round trip depending on fitness. Walkers with decent legs and hill experience will get the most from it - it's not a family afternoon jaunt with the kids in tow, though competent junior hillwalkers could manage it. The terrain's rough in places, so proper boots matter.

Glenshiel Campsite is only a few miles away, making this a natural addition to a Highland park holiday. Start early, bring water, and don't expect mobile signal once you're up there. Weather changes fast in these hills.