Creag an Iarlain

The walk up Creag an Iarlain rewards you with proper Highland views across Loch Ness and the surrounding glens. It's not a massive peak - around 1,100 feet - but the approach from Fort Augustus is steep enough to get your heart working, and the summit opens up panoramas that justify the graft.

This one's for walkers who want a couple of hours out without committing to a full day trek. The ground underfoot is rough in places, and you'll need boots rather than trainers. Most people manage it in under two hours return, though you'll want longer if you're stopping to soak in the views or futz about with a camera.

Go early if you can. The midges can be vicious in summer, and the light's better before noon anyway. There's something satisfying about clearing the cloud line and finding proper visibility - you won't always get it, but when you do, Loch Ness sprawls beneath you like it actually belongs in the world.

If you're staying at Loch Ness Highland Resort or Loch Ness Holiday Park just down the road, this makes a cracking morning activity before heading somewhere else. It's close enough that you're not wasting half a day on transport. The nearby Loch Ness Highland Resort is barely over a mile away, so families based there could slip out and bag this without much faffing. Not one for young kids or casual strollers, but if your lot can walk properly, it's the sort of achievement they'll remember.