Creag Shoilleir

The walk up Creag Shoilleir starts gently enough from the valley floor near Inverness, but don't let that fool you - this Highland peak demands proper legs and a decent pair of boots. The climb is relentless once you commit, switchbacking steeply through moorland and rough grass until you break onto the summit plateau. On a clear day, which admittedly you'll need to time right in the Scottish Highlands, the view across the Great Glen is properly stunning - you're looking out towards Ben Nevis on good visibility days, with Loch Ness sprawling below.

It takes most walkers three to four hours round trip depending on fitness and how often you stop to catch your breath. The path is reasonably well-trodden but can get boggy in places, and the exposed ridge near the top means wind can be a genuine factor even when the forecast looks benign.

Walkers will appreciate this one far more than casual strollers - there's no quick summit photo opportunity here. You're committing to a proper hill day. Families with older kids who can handle the pace will find it rewarding, though younger ones might struggle with the relentless gradient.

If you're based at Go Glamping at Loch Ness, just down the road, this makes an excellent full-day adventure from your accommodation. Combine it with Loch Ness itself for a proper Highland experience without the crowds you'd get at more famous peaks.