Cnoc Corr Guinie

This modest Highland peak sits just inland from Invergordon, offering proper views across the Moray Firth if you're willing to do the legwork. It's not a massive undertaking - the walk up takes maybe an hour or so depending on your pace - but the effort pays off on a clear day when you can see right across to the Black Isle.

The appeal here is straightforward: it's a proper walker's hill rather than a tourist trap. You'll find yourself among locals working off their Sunday roast rather than crowds jostling for photos. The summit gives you Cromarty Firth spread below like a map, and on good weather days the views stretch far enough to make the trudge worthwhile. Not wildly dramatic, but genuinely pleasant.

Families with older kids will manage it fine, though younger ones might find the climb tedious without proper motivation - pack snacks. This isn't the sort of peak that'll thrill serious mountaineers, but it's exactly the right difficulty for folk staying at Newmore Highland Pods or Delny Glamping who want to stretch their legs without committing to a full day out.

Access is free and there's no formal opening hours - it's a hill. Go when the weather's decent and the midges aren't biting. Plan on two hours return if you're taking it steady, maybe ninety minutes if you're keen. It works brilliantly as a morning walk before heading down to Invergordon for lunch.