Meall Chuaich

The walk up Meall Chuaich isn't going to break you, which is precisely why it's worth doing. At 982 metres, it's a Munro that won't have you gasping for air for hours on end, yet the views across the Cairngorms are genuinely arresting.

Starting from near Newtonmore, you're looking at a solid four to five hours for most walkers. The path climbs steadily through forest before opening up onto moorland - that transition alone is worth the effort. On a clear day, you can see for miles across the Monadhliath range, and if you're lucky, the peaks to the east towards Braemar become visible too.

It's not a dramatic walk, if we're being honest. No scrambles, no cliff edges, just proper hill walking through Scottish countryside. That makes it ideal for families with older kids and anyone who wants to tick off a Munro without the technical faffing about. Bring decent boots because the terrain gets boggy in places, especially lower down.

Free to walk, naturally - there's no entrance fee. Early morning is sensible if you want to avoid the mist that can roll in by afternoon, even in summer. Newtonmore itself is a small enough spot, but Invernahavon Caravan Park sits nearby and makes a solid base for a few days tackling the surrounding hills. You could easily combine this with other Cairngorms walks if you're staying in the area.