Mountainous cabins in Creag Meagaidh National Nature Reserve

On the irresistible northern shores of Loch Laggan, home to Britain’s largest inland beach, this nature reserve is chock full of beauty. Hill walkers and nature lovers alike will love visiting Creag Meagaidh, whether sticking to the waymarked trails of the lower slopes, or when venturing farther inland to the hidden lochans and tumbledown cliffs of bowl-shaped Coire Ardair. You can explore the impressive ridges and summit of the 1,130-metre Creag Meagaidh itself, or scout the landscape with binoculars for black grouse, mountain hare, badger, pine marten or red deer. In winter, those looking for white-knuckle thrills can tackle some of the best ice climbing routes in Britain, while it’s all change in summer: out go the peak workouts and ice picks, in come the ptarmigans, peregrines and picnics.

1. Best for early risers: Overnight parking is allowed at the large Creag Meagaidh 

         National Nature Reserve car park. Toilets are a short walk away, but there are no facilities.

• Advance booking by at least a few weeks is recommended for all campgrounds, particularly for those close to ever-popular Fort William or the Cairngorms.
• Summer sees Creag Meagaidh at its busiest with motorhomes and RVs. Consider travelling in the shoulder seasons, between May and June, or as the autumn leaves begin to fall in September or October. 
• Campsite opening hours and check-in times vary. Call ahead if you might arrive later than planned.

In short, all-year round. Summer brings in the more intrepid day-trippers from the Cairngorms National Park, while heavy winter snowfalls welcome local ski tourers and mountaineers from across Britain keen to test themselves on some of Scotland’s hardest ice climbs. The reserve’s wildlife also varies dramatically throughout the year. Snow bunting and dotterel congregate in winter, keeping the mountain hare company, while in the summer, you’ll see goldfinches, deer and high-flying eagles. Conservation work is ongoing year-round, with trees being brought back to life on the mountain’s rounded shoulders.

• Halfway along the A86 between the sleepy towns of Newtonmore and Spean Bridge, the nature reserve is remote in the best possible sense. Take all provisions with you. 
• Public transport options are limited in this part of Inverness-shire. The nearest train stations are at Newtonmore or Tulloch, an 11km hike or bike away.
• The weather around Creag Meagaidh is notoriously fickle, with blue skies known to change quickly to thick mist and lashing rain. Take warm and waterproof clothes, food, water, a compass and map. If heading to Coire Ardair or farther in winter, be wary of avalanche reports.