Carn na Caillich

The walk up Carn na Caillich near Nairn is a proper scramble - nothing too technical, but you'll need decent legs and boots with grip. The summit sits at 821 metres, which doesn't sound much until you're halfway up and the wind's trying to knock you sideways. What makes it worth the slog is the view: on a clear day you can see right across the Moray Firth to the Black Isle, and inland towards the Cairngorms. The landscape opens up in a way that makes sense of why people settled in this part of Aberdeenshire centuries ago.

Allow three to four hours for the round trip, depending on fitness. It's free, obviously - it's a hill. The path starts rough but becomes clearer as you climb, though navigation can be tricky in cloud so bring a map. Winter's possible but only for experienced winter walkers.

This suits serious walkers more than families with young kids - it's not a gentle stroll, and there's exposure in places that'll make nervous heads spin. Older children who've done Ben Lomond or similar will manage fine.

If you're staying at ACE Adventures and Hideaways just down the road, this makes an excellent morning before heading back for lunch. It breaks up a longer holiday nicely, especially if you're mixing activity with relaxation. The surrounding Highlands offer dozens of shorter walks if you need alternatives, but Carn na Caillich rewards the effort.