Garrie Island

Garrie Island sits in the heart of the Scottish Highlands near Dingwall, a proper slice of woodland that feels genuinely remote despite being so close to civilisation. It's a forest walk rather than a destination where you'll spend hours - the island itself is small, dense with native trees and the kind of quiet you don't get in many places anymore. The appeal is straightforward: you get woodland paths, the sense of being tucked away in something wild, and views that remind you why people move to the Highlands in the first place.

Walkers will get more out of this than families with young children, to be honest. There's no visitor centre or facilities, just trees and trails. Bring proper footwear because it gets boggy, especially after rain. Allow an hour or so for a leisurely loop - rushing defeats the purpose. It's free, which is always a bonus, and there's no set opening hours because it's just woodland access.

If you're staying at Dingwall Camping and Caravanning Club Site or the fancier Highland Heights Luxury Glamping nearby, Garrie Island makes a decent morning walk before heading elsewhere. It's worth the detour if you're already in the area and fancy stretching your legs properly, but don't plan your whole trip around it. It's the kind of place that rewards a quiet head and good boots rather than spectacular views or dramatic peaks.