Sgurr a'Bhuic

The walk up Sgurr a'Bhuic from Kinlochleven is proper steep and relentless, but it's over relatively quickly - most people crack it in two to three hours return. You're climbing roughly 800 metres of elevation gain on what amounts to a hillwalker's scramble rather than a technical peak, and the views across the grey-green Lochaber hills are genuinely rewarding when you get there.

This one's for people who want the satisfaction of bagging a summit without committing to a full day. The path starts from the village itself, which saves you a drive, and the reward is a 360-degree panorama that stretches across to Ben Nevis if the weather's on your side. On a grey day, though, you're basically climbing into cloud - I've done it both ways, and honestly, fine conditions make all the difference here.

Families with older kids (say, 10 plus) will manage it fine if they're used to hills. Younger ones might struggle with the gradient and loose scree near the top. It's free to access, no booking required, and there's no specific best time other than avoiding midwinter when the path gets treacherous.

If you're based at Glen Nevis Caravan & Camping Park or Ben Nevis Holiday Park - both within striking distance - this makes a solid half-day filler between longer walks. It's not flashy, but it's honest work and the views justify the effort.