Cìoch Mhòr

The walk up Cìoch Mhòr isn't what you'd call gentle, but the effort pays for itself properly once you're near the top. This Highland peak sits above Strathpeffer and offers views across the Black Isle and out towards the Moray Firth - the kind of vista that makes your legs forget how hard they've just worked.

The climb takes a decent chunk of time depending on fitness levels, so allow a good three to four hours return from the carpark. It's steep in places, occasionally boggy underfoot, and the Scottish weather can turn in minutes, so come prepared with proper kit. No facilities at the summit itself - just the wind, the heather, and unobstructed panoramas in all directions.

This is a walker's peak, pure and simple. Families with teenagers capable of proper hillwalking would manage it fine; younger kids would likely find it tedious. The route doesn't have the gentleness of lower-level woodland walks, so bring decent boots and realistic expectations about pacing.

If you're staying at one of the glamping spots - Highland Heights Luxury Glamping is barely two miles away - this makes an excellent morning objective before heading down to explore Strathpeffer village itself. Dingwall Camping and Caravanning Club Site sits just over four miles off, so it's reasonably accessible from either base. Clear days only, mind. There's nothing worth seeing through cloud cover, and descending in poor visibility turns straightforward into sketchy.