Carn Salachaidh

The walk up Carn Salachaidh from Ardgay takes you through proper Highland terrain - rough moorland that strips away any illusions about an easy afternoon stroll. It's not the highest peak around here, but the views compensate for the effort. You'll get decent sightlines across the Dornoch Firth and back towards Ben Wyvis on a clear day, which frankly aren't guaranteed in this part of Scotland.

This is squarely a walker's mountain. If you're expecting a gentle ramble with benches and interpretation boards, you'll be disappointed. The path can be boggy, the wind kicks up quickly, and there's nothing remotely civilised at the summit - just cairn and space. Figure on a solid two to three hours for the round trip, depending on your fitness and how many times you stop to catch your breath.

It works well as part of a broader Highlands package. You're close enough to Ardgay to base yourself at somewhere like Ardgay Glamping, which sits just down the road, and tick off a few local walks without driving yourself mad between each one. Spring and summer are your best bets - winter weather here can turn nasty without much warning.

Worth doing? Yes, if you like getting out properly and don't mind a bit of mud on your boots. Skip it if you're after Instagram angles and gift shop stops.