Beinn Mheadhoin

The walk up Beinn Mheadhoin is a proper hill rather than a stroll, and I'll be honest - you need to earn the views from the top. This mountain sits in the Cairngorms, not far from Inverness, and rewards you with one of those rare panoramas that justifies the climbing. On a clear day, you're looking out across endless peaks and lochs stretching toward the horizon.

It's a Munro, so walkers with experience will tick it off their list without much fuss. The path itself is reasonably well-marked, but the ascent is steep enough in places that you won't want to bring the children unless they're proper outdoors kids. Allow a solid five to six hours for the round trip if you're not racing. The terrain is rough - loose stones, bog patches - so decent boots aren't optional.

What strikes you most is the sense of remoteness. There are busier peaks in the Cairngorms, which is precisely why this one feels special. Start early to avoid the afternoon mist rolling in. Summer months are your best bet, though even then Scottish weather does what it wants.

If you're based at Loch Ness Holiday Park or Inver Coille Camping & Glamping for a few days, Beinn Mheadhoin makes an excellent half-day mission that breaks up a park holiday nicely. The drive from Inverness is straightforward, and parking at the trailhead is manageable. Not everyone's cup of tea, but if you actually like hiking rather than just the idea of it, this one's genuinely worth your time.