Schoolhouse Belt

The Schoolhouse Belt is a proper woodland walk in the Scottish Highlands just outside Dingwall, and it's one of those spots that rewards you for getting your boots dirty. You're walking through mature forest - think towering pines and broadleaves - with a real sense of seclusion despite being minutes from town. The paths wind through dense woodland, and on a decent day the dappled light filtering through the canopy is genuinely lovely.

It's best suited to walkers and nature types rather than families with pushchairs, though older kids who don't mind a muddy trail will be fine. The terrain gets a bit uneven in places and can be boggy after rain, so proper footwear is non-negotiable. You're looking at a couple of hours for a leisurely wander depending on which routes you fancy.

There's no visitor centre or facilities that I'm aware of - this is back-to-basics woodland rambling. Free to access, naturally, which makes it a cracking way to fill a morning or early afternoon. The bonus is how quiet it stays even in peak season. If you're based at Highland Heights Luxury Glamping or Beauly Holiday Park, this sits nicely into a Highland walking week without demanding a long drive. It won't be the highlight of your trip, but it's authentic Scottish woodland without the tourist circus. Go early to beat the midges.