Druim Fada

The walk up Druim Fada isn't particularly famous, which is precisely why it's worth doing. This hill sits just outside Fort William and offers proper views across the Great Glen without the grinding slog you'll get on Ben Nevis. Count on two to three hours for a straightforward there-and-back from the car park.

What you're getting here is a highland ridge walk that feels remote even though civilisation is minutes away. The summit itself isn't dramatic - no trig point drama or sweeping cairn - but the views south towards Ben Nevis and west across Loch Lochy more than make up for that. On a clear day you can pick out Glencoe in the distance. Visibility matters here; a cloudy afternoon will rob you of the whole point.

Families with teenagers will do fine, but younger walkers might find the exposed sections a bit much. The ground can be boggy underfoot early in the season, so waterproof boots are non-negotiable. It's genuinely free and quiet, which beats paying for a cable car.

If you're based at one of the nearby holiday parks - Linnhe Lochside is closest at just over three miles away, or Glen Nevis Caravan Park if you want a five-star spot - this works nicely as a morning walk before heading to more famous attractions. It's the sort of thing you do because you're actually in the area, not because a guidebook told you to. That's usually when walks are best.