Nevis Range Mountain Resort

The cable car whisks you up 2,150 metres in about eight minutes, which is either brilliant or slightly unsettling depending on your head for heights. Nevis Range sits on the slopes of Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain, and it's the sort of place that forces you to actually look at the landscape instead of just trudging past it. Summer brings walkers and sightseers; winter turns it into proper skiing territory, though that's more for enthusiasts than casual visitors.

Once you're at the top, the views across the Highlands are genuinely stunning - on a clear day you can see for miles. There's a restaurant and bar up there, so you can sit with a coffee and pretend you didn't just cheat your way to the summit. The weather's absolutely critical here; misty days render most of the views pointless, so check the forecast before you drive out from Fort William.

If you're camping at Glen Nevis Caravan & Camping Park or Ben Nevis Holiday Park, both within easy driving distance, this makes a solid half-day activity. Families with younger kids will find the cable car novelty worth the entrance fee; teenagers and keen hikers might feel a bit shortchanged unless conditions are perfect. It's not cheap, and it can get crowded in summer, but on a proper Highland day it's worth the detour.