Hill Of Rive

Hill of Rive is a modest highland peak that rises above the flatlands near Thurso in the far north. It's not going to set your heart racing - we're talking about a few hundred metres of height rather than proper mountain terrain - but on a clear day, the views across the north coast are genuinely excellent. You get sweeping vistas towards the Pentland Firth and across to Orkney if conditions allow. The walk up is straightforward enough for most fitness levels, though the path can be boggy in places so proper boots are worth bringing.

This works best for active families or keen walkers staying in the area rather than being a destination in itself. Allow a couple of hours for the round trip if you're not hurrying. Best visited in the warmer months when the weather's less likely to be absolutely grim - these northern heights can be pretty bleak when the cloud rolls in.

If you're basing yourself at Little Croft Highlands, the nearby campsite just four miles away, Hill of Rive makes a solid morning or afternoon outing to combine with exploring the Thurso area. The town itself has proper history and good fish and chips, so it's worth pairing the walk with a nose around the streets. The real appeal here is the sense of being on the edge of Scotland - proper wild and windswept. Not somewhere you'd queue for, but absolutely worth an hour or two if you're staying nearby.