Beinn an Amair

The walk up Beinn an Amair from near Durness is straightforward enough, but don't expect manicured paths or signposts holding your hand. This is proper Scottish hill walking - rough moorland, peaty ground that squelches underfoot, and weather that changes faster than you can say "midges". The summit sits at 1,080 metres, and on a clear day you get views across the north coast towards Cape Wrath and out to the Atlantic. Real stuff.

It's a solid four to five hours out and back if you're taking it steady, so bring water and something to eat. The nearest parking is around Durness, and from there you're looking at a decent hike in before the serious climbing starts. Not a beginner's job, but absolutely doable for anyone with reasonable hill fitness and proper boots. Families with young kids will find it a bit much - the terrain's rough and there's no shelter if the weather turns, which it will.

Histor types won't find much at the top beyond rocks and views, but walkers who like a proper challenge and aren't after a crowded tourist experience will get genuine satisfaction from this one. If you're staying at Sango Sands Oasis nearby, it makes a cracking day out to punctuate your park holiday. Just check the weather forecast first - there's nowhere to hide up there when it comes in sideways.