Alturlie Point view point

The car park at Alturlie Point sits right on the Moray Firth, just outside Inverness, and it's the kind of spot locals know about but tourists sometimes miss. You get out, walk maybe fifty metres, and suddenly you're standing on a proper headland with the water spreading out in front of you - seals pop up regularly if you're patient, and on a clear day the far shore feels close enough to touch.

It's not a long visit. Twenty minutes to half an hour if you're just grabbing the view, longer if you've brought binoculars and actually want to clock the wildlife. The path is straightforward and mostly level, so it works for families with young kids, though there's not much to do once you're up there except look, which is exactly the point. History buffs might linger - there's an old fortification here if you know where to look.

Free to visit, no facilities to speak of, so come prepared with coffee in a flask if you're planning to stay and watch for dolphins. Winter can be dramatic up here when the wind picks up; summer is gentler but busier. It pairs well with Fortrose Bay Campsite if you're camping in the area - you're only four miles away. Worth the detour if you're already in Inverness and fancy twenty minutes of proper Highland coast without the crowds of the bigger tourist spots.