Càrn Bad na Caorach

The walk up Càrn Bad na Caorach from Grantown-on-Spey takes you through proper moorland terrain - the kind of landscape where you feel genuinely remote despite being only a few miles from civilisation. It's a modest hill by Highland standards, but don't mistake that for dull. The views across the Spey Valley open up nicely as you gain height, and on a clear day you can pick out the shape of the higher peaks in the distance.

This is one for walkers rather than casual strollers. The approach terrain is boggy in places, especially after rain, and there's a decent gradient when you commit to the summit push. Allow two to three hours return if you're moving at a steady pace. History buffs might be interested in the old drove routes that crisscross this area - there's a real sense of people having walked these hillsides for centuries.

It's free, naturally. The real appeal is solitude and a proper sense of Scottish landscape without the queues you'd find elsewhere. If you're staying at Grantown on Spey Caravan Park, it's practically on your doorstep, making it an excellent half-day venture before returning for a hot meal. Go in the afternoon if you can - the light across the moorland improves as the day wears on. Come prepared for bog and potentially dodgy weather even if conditions look settled in town.