Three Sisters of Glencoe

Three towering mountains rise abruptly from Glencoe's valley floor, and they stop you dead. The Three Sisters - Beinn Fhada, Gearr Aonach, and Aonach Dubh - form one of Scotland's most dramatic mountain trios, visible from the main A82 as it cuts through the glen. You can pull off and gawp from the road, but walkers will get far more from them. The paths up are steep and properly exposed in places, so these aren't for the casual ambler - but the views back down into the valley and across to the Buchaille Etive Mòr are genuinely special.

This is serious hill country, not a stroll. Most people allow three to four hours for a decent walk around the base or a partial ascent. The weather changes fast here, and you need proper boots and a map. Summer's best, though even then the Scottish rain has a habit of arriving unannounced.

Ballachulish sits just a couple of miles away and serves as the practical base for exploring this part of the Highlands. If you're camping nearby - Red Squirrel Campsite is excellent and only 2.9 miles off - you'll wake up to these mountains dominating the skyline. Invercoe Caravan Park, 4.6 miles away, gives you proper access to Glencoe's entire glen without needing to drive far. Families with young children won't find much here beyond the views from the road, but serious walkers and photographers should build in at least a full day. The Three Sisters aren't a quick tick-box stop. They demand time and respect.