Suidhe Chuimein

The drive up to Suidhe Chuimein takes you proper high into the Highlands above Inverness, and the effort pays off once you're standing at the viewpoint. It's a straightforward stop rather than a destination that demands hours of your time, but on a clear day the views across the glens are genuinely worth pausing for. You get a real sense of the scale of the landscape from up here - the kind of vista that makes you understand why people get obsessed with the Scottish hills.

Walkers will appreciate this more than casual visitors, though it's not a strenuous trek to reach the viewpoint itself. The practical reality is that you'll spend perhaps 20 minutes taking in the view, having a cup of flask tea if you're sensible, maybe a few photos. It's the sort of place that works brilliantly as a break during a longer drive rather than a standalone trip.

If you're camped at one of the Loch Ness sites - Inver Coille, the main holiday park, or Loch Ness Highland Resort - Suidhe Chuimein fits neatly into a morning or afternoon loop. The location above Inverness makes it a natural diversion if you're exploring the area around the loch. Weather matters enormously here. On a grey, drizzly day (which is fairly likely) the view flattens considerably. Time your visit for clearer spells and you'll see why locals bother making the journey up.