Fort William

The Jacobite Steam Train chugs into the station like something from a Harry Potter film - which, fittingly, it was. Fort William sits beneath the brooding presence of Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain, where the lowlands meet the dramatic Scottish Highlands proper.

This isn't a pretty Highland town in the chocolate box sense. Fort William is working, practical, a bit rough around the edges. But that's precisely its charm - it's the genuine article, where climbers stock up on gear before tackling the peaks and walkers plan their next assault on the Munros. The West Highland Museum tells the real story of the area, from Jacobite uprisings to clan warfare, while the Cameron Obelisk marks the spot where Clan Cameron chiefs once held court.

Ben Nevis looms over everything, naturally. The Visitor Centre at its base sees thousands of ambitious hikers each year, though many underestimate the mountain's moody temperament. Serious climbers know the surrounding peaks too - Càrn Dearg, Mullach nan Coirean, and Meall a' Chaorainn offer equally spectacular challenges without the crowds.

Getting here requires commitment. The A82 winds dramatically along Loch Lomond and through Glencoe, though the train journey on the West Highland Line is properly spectacular. Glasgow is two and a half hours away by car.

Staying at one of the nearby parks makes perfect sense - Glen Nevis Caravan & Camping Park sits right at the foot of the mountain, while Linnhe Lochside Holidays offers lochside pitches. You're ideally placed for dawn starts on the peaks and can retreat to your caravan when the Highland weather inevitably turns.