Stac na Cathaig

The walk up Stac na Cathaig is proper knackering, but that's rather the point. This Highland peak near Inverness isn't a gentle stroll - it's a scramble that demands respect and decent boots. The reward, though, is substantial: views across the Great Glen that stretch for miles, with Loch Ness visible on a clear day and the surrounding peaks rising up like teeth along the horizon.

You're looking at a couple of hours minimum for the ascent, longer if you're not used to rough terrain. The path itself is relentless, steep in places, and the final stretch involves some proper rock work. It's not technical climbing, but it's not a footpath either. Walkers with experience and reasonable fitness will find it satisfying. Families with young children might want to give it a miss - there's no summit café or gentle descent.

There's no charge to go up, obviously. What matters is time: allow a full afternoon, more if you want to move slowly and take photos. Weather here changes fast, so start early and keep an eye on the sky. If you're staying at Go Glamping at Loch Ness just down the road, this makes a brilliant day out - wild enough to feel like proper Highland walking, close enough that you're back for dinner.

Come here for the effort and the view, not for the walk to be easy.