Achtercairn

The drive up to Achtercairn from Gairloch takes you through proper Highland scenery - mountains rising steeply, lochs glinting between the heather. Once you reach the viewpoint, you understand why people bother with the winding road. The views across the lochs and out towards the coast are genuinely striking, especially on a clear day when you can pick out Ben Eighe and the surrounding peaks in decent detail.

It's not a major tourist installation - no car park facilities, no café, no interpretation boards. You simply pull over and stand there taking it in. That's rather the point. Most people spend twenty minutes here maximum, maybe thirty if you're the lingering type. Walkers will appreciate it as a stopping point rather than a destination in itself.

The road itself can be narrow and winding, so take your time getting there. If you're based at Sands Caravan & Camping near Gairloch - and it's a cracking site, five-star reviews for good reason - this makes for a decent afternoon drive. You won't need to book ahead or worry about opening times since there's nothing formal about it. Free, obviously.

Worth the detour? If you're already exploring the Gairloch area, yes. If you're just passing through the Highlands on a tight schedule, you might skip it in favour of the bigger viewpoints. But that would be missing out on something honest and properly wild.