Summer Islands viewpoint

The view across to the Summer Islands from the mainland near Ullapool stops you dead. On a clear day - and you'll need patience to catch one in the Highlands - you're looking at a proper scatter of islands stretched across the water, some barely more than rocky outcrops, others substantial enough to support a handful of buildings.

It's a short detour from Ullapool itself, and the payoff is genuine. You'll find locals here with binoculars, serious photographers with tripods, and walkers doing the coastal route. The light can be extraordinary in late afternoon, painting the islands gold and turning the sea dramatic shades of grey and blue.

There's no entrance fee, no cafe, no visitor centre nonsense. You rock up, have a look, and either you'll spend ten minutes snapping photos or you'll linger for an hour watching the light change. Most people manage somewhere in between. Bring a windproof jacket - the exposure here is real, and the weather can turn in minutes.

If you're camping at Port a Bhaigh, you're basically on the doorstep. It's the sort of spot that works best as part of a wider day exploring the Ullapool coast rather than a destination in itself. Pair it with a walk along the shore or a harbour visit, and you've got something worthwhile. On a grey day? You might not see the islands at all. That's the Highlands for you.