Creag Liath

Creag Liath is a modest hill walk in the heart of the Highlands, a few miles from Tain, that rewards you with proper views across the surrounding moorland and glens. It's not a scramble - more of a straightforward uphill trudge through heather and grass - but the summit gives you that sense of having actually earned something. The walk takes roughly two to three hours depending on your pace and where you park at the base.

This is exactly the sort of walk that appeals to keen hillwalkers who want genuine Highlands atmosphere without needing technical skills or fancy equipment. Families with older children (say, ten and up) will manage it fine if they're used to walking, though it's bit steep in places and the moorland can get boggy. You won't find dramatic rocky outcrops or a trig point to mark the summit - it's all rather understated, which some folk actually prefer.

It's free, as all Scottish hills are. Tain itself is your nearest base, though the caravan parks around Grantown on Spey and Invernahavon are closer for staying put. If you're mixing this with a park holiday, you've got plenty of walking options nearby - the Highlands practically demand you get out and move about.

Go on a clear day. On a grey one with cloud sunk low over the hills, you'll spend most of your time looking at the moorland at your feet rather than enjoying the view from the top. Worth the effort? Yes, if you're already in the area and fancy a proper walk without the baggage of bigger peaks.