Càrn na Seanalaich

The walk up Càrn na Seanalaich isn't long, but it punches well above its weight. Rising 687 metres above the Highland landscape between Inverness and Tomatin, this is proper hill-walking territory without needing a full day's commitment.

You'll find yourself climbing through heather and rough grassland, picking your way past the occasional cairn marker. The views from the top stretch across the Monadhliath Mountains and down towards Strathdearn - exactly the sort of expansive Scottish scenery that makes you understand why people move here and never leave. On a clear day, which isn't guaranteed in these parts, you can see for miles.

It's the kind of peak that appeals to walkers who want genuine Highland experience without the technical faffing around. Families with older kids will manage it fine in a couple of hours. Solo walkers use it to shake off cabin fever. The terrain is straightforward enough, though the wind can get a bit nippy near the summit.

Allow two to three hours there and back depending on fitness and how long you linger at the top. There's no charge - it's open hill - and no facilities to speak of, so bring water and something to eat. Best visited in the drier months, obviously.

If you're based at Tomatin Glamping Pods just down the road, this makes an excellent half-day outing that still leaves you time for a proper dinner afterwards. It's the sort of local knowledge thing that beats queuing at tourist honeypots.