Cnoc Strathaidh

Getting to the summit of Cnoc Strathaidh means a proper slog from Dingwall, but the views across the Black Isle and towards Ben Wyvis make it worth the effort. The walk itself isn't technical - just steady and relentless uphill through moorland. On a clear day, you'll see all the way to the Cromarty Firth sparkling below, and in poor weather it's genuinely atmospheric in a way that makes you feel like you've earned something.

Walkers will get the most from this one. It's not a casual family stroll - you need decent legs and proper boots, ideally a couple of hours set aside. There's nothing there except the trig point and the views, so if you're after a café halfway up, you'll be disappointed. But that's exactly why it works. The Highland silence out there is the whole point.

Free, naturally, and open year-round though winter can be boggy and properly windy at height. Allow at least three hours return from the car park. It pairs well with exploring the Black Isle proper - Rosemarkie's worth a look - or using Newmore Highland Pods as your base if you're into this sort of walking. They're only four and a half miles away, so you could easily string together a few peak walks across the area. Do it in late spring or early autumn when the midges aren't utterly vicious.