Beinn a' Chlaonaidh

The walk up Beinn a' Chlaonaidh from Beauly is a proper hill rather than a mountain, which means you can bag it in an afternoon without needing full alpine kit. It's one of those Scottish peaks that locals know but tourists often miss, rising to 1,122 metres with decent views across the Highlands once you've done the legwork.

The approach is straightforward enough - most folk start from the glen and work their way up through rough moorland. The final push gets steeper, but it's not technical climbing. On a clear day you'll see right across to Ben Wyvis and the surrounding glens. The whole thing takes three to four hours depending on fitness and whether you're stopping to catch your breath.

This is walker territory, not a family casual-stroll situation. Kids old enough to manage a few hours on moorland will get something out of it, but younger ones will find it tedious. The weather changes fast up here - even when Beauly looks pleasant, the summit can be damp and misty, so come prepared with proper kit.

Stay at Beauly Holiday Park or Highland Premier Glamping Pods just five miles away and you've got a solid base for a few days of Highland walking. Beinn a' Chlaonaidh works well as part of a broader exploration of the area rather than a standalone trip. Free to climb, obviously - it's a hill. Go early in the day to beat the cloud cover rolling in from the west.