Tom na Gruagaich

You climb Tom na Gruagaich for the views rather than the name - which roughly means 'hill of the woman' in Gaelic, though the local pronunciation will defeat you on first attempt. It's a modest peak near Strathcarron, nothing that'll take your breath away in terms of height, but the walk rewards you with proper Highland scenery: Loch Carron stretches below, mountains roll in every direction, and on clear days the visibility is genuinely impressive.

The ascent takes about ninety minutes from the road, and it's a straightforward hillwalk rather than technical scrambling. You'll want decent boots and a map - there's nothing tricky about finding the route, but it's the Highlands and weather changes fast. The terrain moves from moorland through patches of rough grass, and the final push to the summit isn't steep enough to punish you.

Walkers and hill enthusiasts will get the most from this one. It's the sort of walk that feels like proper achievement without requiring rock climbing experience or a dawn start. Families with older kids who enjoy the outdoors will manage it fine, though younger ones might find the exposed moorland a slog.

If you're based at Shieldaig Camping & Cabins nearby, Tom na Gruagaich makes an excellent half-day outing that leaves time for exploring Strathcarron itself or tackling another peak in the area. Free to access, and worth the detour if you're already in the region. It's not the walk that'll dominate your holiday, but it's solid value for a few hours.