Creag a' Chliabhain

The walk up Creag a' Chliabhain rewards you with proper Highland views for minimal effort. It's a modest peak at 659 metres, rising above the landscape between Inverness and Loch Ness with enough prominence to feel like an actual achievement rather than a stroll.

On a clear day you're looking at the Great Glen stretched out below you, with Ben Wyvis in the distance if you're lucky with the weather. The route itself isn't technical - no scrambling, no exposed sections - which makes it ideal for walkers who want mountain air without the scramble trauma. Allow two to three hours return from the car park, depending on fitness and how many times you stop to catch your breath.

This is one for people who like solitude. You won't fight crowds here the way you do on Ben Nevis. Families with kids aged eight upwards will find it manageable, though younger ones might grumble on the descent. The path can be boggy in places - proper Highland mud, the kind that clings to your boots - so go with decent footwear.

You can string this together nicely with Loch Ness Shores just five miles away for a proper Highland camping weekend. Knock off the peak in the morning, then explore the loch itself in the afternoon without feeling rushed.

Best visited April through October when the weather's least likely to be completely grim. Winter's possible if you know what you're doing, but cloud tends to sit on the summit for weeks on end. Worth the detour if you're based near Inverness and fancy something manageable with genuine Highland character.