Càrn Bàn Beag

The walk up Càrn Bàn Beag is a proper little scramble, nothing technical but steep enough that you'll feel it in your legs. Starting from near Aviemore, you're looking at maybe two hours round trip depending on your pace, and the views across the Cairngorms are genuinely worth the effort.

It's not the kind of peak that demands specialist kit. You need decent boots and waterproofs - the Scottish Highlands don't do sunshine guarantees - but it's manageable for anyone with reasonable fitness. Families with confident walkers will get on well with it. Don't expect a tame hillside ramble though. The terrain's rough in places and the weather can turn quickly.

What makes it work is the location. From the summit you're looking out over proper mountain country, not a tourist-tarted-up viewpoint. On a clear day, you can see for miles. On a cloudy one, you're walking through the mist and feeling genuinely remote, which some people find brilliant and others find a bit bleak.

If you're staying at Dalraddy Holiday Park nearby, this is an excellent morning walk before heading back for lunch. It slots perfectly into a Cairngorms itinerary without eating your whole day. The ground's open access so there's no entry fee, no faffing about with gates. Just park sensibly and go. Early autumn is ideal - fewer midges, slightly less muddy underfoot. Summer can be bogged out. Allow three hours if you want to sit and take in the view without rushing.