Five of the best Munros in Scotland

Starts from a roadside verge south of Cuaich at Cuaich cottages. About two miles north of Dalwhinnie turn off on the A9. Ascent only 623m, though the total walk is almost nine miles. Follow aqueduct to power station then Loch Cuaich. An easily bagged 951m. What it lacks in grandeur from below, it more than makes up for in views from the top, taking in upper Badenoch and Strathspey.
Beinn Alligin means beautiful mountain, and you’ll see why. Car park by bridge halfway between Torridon and Inveralligin, just north of Torridon House. Walk through woods over the moor by the river. Steepish pull up on to the Horns of Alligin. You can cover two Munros in a circular route that takes you across the top of the world. It’s the easiest of the three Torridon ridge traverses. Head back down for a treat at Gille Brighde, a brilliant wee bistro in nearby Diabaig.
The most northerly Munro and many a bagger’s last. Also a good one to start with. Steep and craggy with splendid views from its summit at 927m, the approach from the south is relatively easy and takes about five hours, there and back. The much improved Tongue Hotel in nearby Lairg is a great place to stay and eat.
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One of the great horseshoe ridge walks in Britain, the Tarmachan ridge west of Ben Lawers takes in a Munro (Meall nan Tarmachan) and several tops — and affords mighty sweeping views south towards the Trossachs and north towards the Highlands. It is one of the easiest Munro climbs but still immensely impressive. Start from Ben Lawers car park, down 100m track and through gate. Slog to start. Seven-mile walk, climb 800m, allow six to seven hours.
Pronounced “larven”, this lovely 1,020m peak is one of three Munros on the Knoydart peninsula — many a bagger’s last call, but not least (though all three can be done together). No roads in these parts, so it’s a long shlep in from Inverie. Needs a very early start and long summer day; 9-12 hours to the summit and back from Inverie.
Taken from Scotland the Best by Peter Irvine (HarperCollins £17.99). Buy from timesbookshop.co.uk. Discount for Times+ members