Fox Hill

The walk up Fox Hill takes about forty minutes from the car park, and the effort pays off with proper views across the Moray Firth and deep into the Scottish Highlands. It's not particularly high - around 300 metres - but the moorland setting means there's bugger all shelter when the wind picks up, which it usually does.

From the summit you get a real sense of the landscape rather than being boxed in by trees. On a clear day you can spot Ben Rinnes to the south. The path itself is straightforward, mostly well-trodden, though it gets boggy in places so decent boots matter. Nothing technical, nothing that'll scare off walkers of moderate fitness.

Forres sits just down the road, so this works brilliantly as a mid-week outing if you're staying at one of the local parks - ACE Adventures & Hideaways is only five miles away and does both camping and glamping. Grab a packed lunch from town, spend three hours out here, back for a late breakfast or early supper. It's the sort of spot that rewards an early start; afternoon mist can roll in quickly.

Worthwhile if you want a proper Highland walk without committing to a full day's trek. Kids aged ten-plus will manage it fine. Older folk might find the moorland a touch exposed in bad weather, so pick your moment. Free, obviously - it's a hill - and there's a rough car park at the base.