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There's something irresistible about making an attempt on a highest peak and many are drawn to conquer Britain's Ben Nevis (4406ft/1344m). Despite its popularity the six to eight-hour walk up and down should not be undertaken lightly, as the start is virtually at sea level and the ascent is continuous. Conditions near the top, in particular, can be extreme. The mean annual summit temperature is below freezing and snow often remains until early summer. The upper slopes are cloud covered six days out of seven and navigating is notoriously dangerous. If you are lucky enough to make it to the top, and the weather is clear, the experience of standing on the summit of Britain is unforgettable.

The mountain itself has a colourful history. The path from Glen Nevis was originally an old pony track, constructed at the time of the summit observatory (now in ruins), which was opened in 1883. During the previous two summers one Clement Wragge, soon nicknamed 'the inclement rag', made a daily ascent of the Ben to take weather observations. The observatory closed in 1904 but a small 'hotel' annex continued to open in summer until about 1918. In 1911 a Model T Ford was 'driven' to the summit as a publicity stunt - a feat that took five days.

After Loch Ness, this is perhaps the most famous of Scotland's lochs. Measuring 27.5 sq mi (71 sq km), it is the largest single inland waterway in Britain. Its proximity to Glasgow (only 20mi/32km away to the southeast) means that some sections are overcrowded in summer. The loch straddles the Highland Boundary Fault, the dramatic geological divide between the Highlands and the Lowlands. The southern part of the loch is bordered by relatively flat, arable land, and is wide, shallow and dotted with islands, some of which host early Christian sites. The northern end is deeper, but generally less than a mile or so wide, and is enclosed by steep hillsides. The slopes at the loch shore are covered by Scotland's largest remnant of oak forest, mixed with new conifer plantations.

Standing guard over the loch is Ben Lomond (3194ft/974m), a popular destination for mountain walkers. The eastern shore of the loch forms part of the West Highland Way, the most popular long-distance walk in Scotland (and Britain). Testament to its scenic beauty and ecological importance, the loch and a large surrounding area, including Ben Lomond, will become Scotland's first national park in 2002.

The West Highland Railway runs from Glasgow to Fort William, and then on to Mallaig, passing through some of Britain's most spectacular mountain scenery and finest walking country. Alighting at stations such as Arrochar & Tarbet, Crianlarich, Bridge of Orchy and Spean Bridge allows you to set off on a seemingly endless range of wonderful mountain walks, direct from the platform. Possibly the most intriguing stop is Corrour, which at 1338ft (408m) is the highest and most remote station in Britain. The station lies in the middle of Rannoch Moor, so soft and boggy that the line here had to be laid on a platform of earth, ashes and brushwood. It is a tribute to the railway's Victorian engineers that it has remained in place for over a century and nobody has ever managed (or wanted) to build a road up here.