Càrn Choire Odhair

The walk up Càrn Choire Odhair from near Tomatin isn't long, but it's properly steep in places and the reward is a proper Highland view across the Monadhliath. You're looking at maybe 45 minutes to an hour each way depending on fitness, climbing through heather and rough ground to a modest summit that feels higher than 920 metres because of how exposed it sits.

This one appeals to hill-walkers wanting something quicker than a full day's outing but with real grit to it. Families with older kids who don't mind a bit of a slog will manage fine. It's not a casual stroll - your boots will earn their keep - but the views back towards Inverness and across the glens make the effort worthwhile. On a clear day you get a proper sense of the vast emptiness of the Highlands.

There's no visitor facility or any charge to speak of. Start early if you want reliable weather, and come in summer when the days are longest. The ground can be boggy after rain, so pick your timing. Winter conditions here get serious quite fast.

Staying at Tomatin Glamping Pods puts you within spitting distance of the trailhead - hardly any drive at all - making this an ideal pairing if you're after a quick morning hike before heading elsewhere. It's the sort of peak you combine with exploring the wider Monadhliath rather than dedicating a full day to, and that suits the location perfectly.