The Shelter, Culbokie Green

A strip of woodland backing onto Culbokie Green that's proper worth a wander if you're based nearby in Dingwall. The Shelter itself is a small wooded area - nothing vast, but genuinely pleasant for an hour's stroll, especially if the weather's playing ball. You'll find native trees, a bit of a stream running through, and enough cover to escape the rain that inevitably rolls in across the Highlands.

It's the sort of place that appeals to families with younger kids rather than serious hikers. There's enough to poke around - fallen logs, the occasional bird if you're lucky - but don't expect dramatic views or lengthy trails. Plan for 45 minutes to an hour unless you're really taking your time. The green itself is the draw for many: a proper community space where locals walk dogs and sit about on decent days.

Walkers heading into the Highlands proper will find this useful as a warm-up stretch, not a destination. If you're staying at Dingwall Camping and Caravanning Club Site or Blackrock Caravan Park, it's near enough for an evening constitutional. Free to access, naturally, and no formal opening hours to worry about - just turn up.

The location between Dingwall and the wider Highland routes makes it handy for breaking up a longer trip. It won't blow your mind, but it's a decent breath of fresh air after a drive, and beats sitting in the caravan waiting for rain to stop.