Garbh-mheall Mòr

The walk up Garbh-mheall Mòr from Newtonmore rewards you with proper Highland views across the Monadhliath mountains. It's a straightforward hill rather than a technical climb - about 880 metres of elevation gain over rough terrain that takes most walkers four to five hours round trip. The path starts from the village and winds through moorland before the final push to the summit, where you'll see across to Ben Alder and the Cairngorms on a clear day.

This is squarely for people who want actual hills under their boots, not a gentle stroll. Families with older kids who don't mind a bit of scrambling will get something from it, but younger children will find it tough going. The real draw is the solitude - you won't fight crowds here like you would on Ben Nevis.

It's free, obviously. You'll need proper hill walking kit: waterproofs, decent boots, map and compass or GPS. The weather changes fast, so morning starts are wise. Summer and early autumn offer the best window.

Stay at Invernahavon Caravan Park just 2.9 miles away and you've got an excellent base for exploring the Monadhliath range properly. If you want a bit more comfort, Laggan Glamping is five miles off. Both sit well for walkers tackling this kind of terrain. Do the hill on day one, recover with a less demanding walk the next - the area's got plenty of options for varying abilities.