Ben Tarvie

Ben Tarvie rises sharp and sudden from the flat lands near Tain, a wee mountain that punches well above its weight. The walk takes about two hours return - nothing mad, but it's steep enough in places that you'll feel your legs working. The views back towards the Dornoch Firth and across to Ben Loyal are the real draw here. On a clear day you can see for miles, which makes the effort worthwhile.

This isn't a destination that'll eat up your whole afternoon. Most walkers will want to be up and back before lunch, then heading somewhere else. If you're after a proper hike with serious elevation and drama, you'll find better peaks elsewhere in the Highlands. But if you're based at one of the nearby caravan parks - Dornoch's the better bet at 4.2 stars - it's a cracking way to spend a morning without driving far. Families with reasonably fit kids will manage it; younger ones might grumble on the descent.

There's a track most of the way, though it gets rougher higher up. Wear proper boots and take waterproofs - the weather changes fast up here. The mountain's free to climb, naturally, and there are no facilities at the summit, so bring water and a snack. Go early if you want to avoid the midges, and pick a day when the cloud's lifted enough to see something. Ben Tarvie won't be the highlight of your Highland trip, but it's a solid half-day outing that beats lounging round the caravan site.