Carn Macsna

The walk up Carn Macsna doesn't demand climbing boots or a weekend's preparation - it's a proper accessible hill that rewards effort without the slog. From Drumnadrochit, you're looking at a straightforward trudge through moorland with views that open up gradually rather than hitting you all at once. That's the thing about Scottish peaks at this height: they work on you slowly.

Once you're up there, the Highlands unfold around you. On a decent day you get the full sweep of the landscape - lochs, forest, distant mountains. It's the kind of place where you stop checking your watch because the view holds your attention. The walk itself takes around two hours return, give or take, depending on pace and how many times you stop to look around.

This suits families with older kids far more than those with toddlers - there's nothing technical about it, but it's still a genuine walk, not a riverside stroll. The ground's rough underfoot in places, and Scottish weather can turn on you quickly, so proper kit matters. Summer and early autumn are your best bets; midges are less of a nightmare then.

Pitch your tent or park the camper at Loch Ness Glamping or Loch Ness Shores just down the road, and you've got a cracking base for exploring the area's walking routes. Carn Macsna works brilliantly as a half-day expedition that doesn't eat into time for other activities. It's well worth the effort if you want to actually get into the Highlands rather than just passing through.