Beinn a' Bhacaidh

The walk up Beinn a' Bhacaidh is one of those Scottish hills that rewards you without absolutely destroying your legs. Starting from near Inverness, it's a proper manageable ascent - nothing that'll have you cursing life choices halfway up. The views across Loch Ness and the surrounding Highlands are genuinely good, especially on a clear day when you can pick out Urquhart Castle away to the south.

It's a hill for walkers who want something real without needing crampons and a guide. Families with older kids will manage fine; younger ones might find the final push tedious, but nothing catastrophic. Allow a solid two to three hours for the round trip depending on your pace, and wear proper boots - the ground gets boggy in places and the Highland weather can turn quickly.

Free to walk, obviously. Go early if you're visiting between May and September when the Loch Ness area fills up with tourists. Winter's quieter but grittier underfoot.

If you're based at one of the camping spots nearby - Inver Coille or Loch Ness Holiday Park are both within spitting distance - this makes a cracking half-day excursion. Combines well with a visit to Urquhart Castle ruins or a splash about on the loch itself. It's not dramatic enough to be a trip-defining moment, but it's exactly the kind of hill that makes a Highland holiday actually feel active rather than just leisurely.