Drumsmittal

The walk up Drumsmittal isn't long, but it's steep enough that you'll feel it in your legs by the time you reach the summit. From Inverness, it's a proper quick getaway - less than half an hour's drive and you're at the trailhead with views across the Moray Firth already opening up in front of you.

What you get at the top is exactly what you're after from a Highland peak: wide views across water and moorland, the kind of perspective that makes the drive worthwhile. On a clear day the vista stretches far enough that you forget how close you actually are to town. The walk itself takes around an hour and a half up and back, so it's manageable for most people without needing full hillwalking kit, though proper boots help on the rougher sections.

Families with teenagers will find this one works well - it's not so easy that older kids get bored, but not so brutal that younger walkers give up halfway. Solo walkers and photographers come here regularly; the light in late afternoon can be cracking.

If you're staying at Coulmore Bay Holiday Park or Ardtower, both within a few miles, this fits perfectly into a day that might include a stroll round Inverness town centre. Go in dry weather if you can - the path gets boggy after rain and the views are honestly why you're here. Assume it's free, as with most Scottish hills. Allow a full afternoon if you're not rushed.