Pass of Glencoe

The road through Glencoe narrows and the mountains close in on you like a vice. This isn't a formal viewpoint with facilities or a car park - it's the natural drama of the glen itself, where steep peaks rise abruptly on both sides and you're driving through one of Scotland's most brutal landscapes. Stop anywhere along the A82 and you'll understand why this pass has captivated visitors for centuries.

The valley floor is surprisingly green and gentle, which makes the jagged ridges overhead feel all the more dramatic. On a clear day, the light catches the rock faces differently every few minutes. On a grey day - which is often - the whole thing turns moody and brooding. Either way, it's arresting. Walkers will find plenty of layby spots to start hikes up into the surrounding hills. If you're not keen on scrambling, simply pulling over to photograph the view or take a proper look around costs nothing and takes as long as you want.

Allow an hour to drive through slowly and soak it in, longer if you're hiking. Winter transforms it into something altogether wilder - beautiful but serious terrain. Summer brings the crowds, though the glen's sheer scale means it never feels rammed.

Kinlochleven sits just outside the pass and makes a reasonable base. Red Squirrel Campsite, rated highly by other campers, is only 3.9 miles away. Blackwater Hostel and Invercoe are equally close. You'll want mountain scenery on your park holiday? You've got it here in spades.