Not the highest point, but certainly the centrepiece of the Cairngorm mountains is Cairn Gorm Mountain (1245m; 4084 ft). It's particularly popular thanks to a 1.5mile-long funicular up its flanks. When the snow’s good it’s busy with skiiers and boarders, while in summer it’s a popular, low-effort way of seeing the Highlands from above (on clear days!).

The £26 million scheme was controversial for its scarring of the landscape, so further damage is prevented by limiting summer access to the fragile subarctic Cairngorm plateau around the top station.

Most visitors are limited to exploring an open-air viewing terrace, exhibition area and visiting a reasonable cafeteria. If you want to go beyond this you need to book one of a small number of places on a ranger-led tour. If you want to stretch you legs independently, you can walk up from the base station (takes about 90mins to the top station). If you do walk up, at least you can take the railway down (Adults £9; last train 4.30pm).