Tom a' Chòinnich

Tom a' Chòinnich sits just above Strathpeffer, and on a clear day it's genuinely worth the slog. The walk up takes you through open moorland with views spreading right across the Highlands - you can see proper distance from this one. It's not technically demanding, but it's steep enough in places to leave you catching your breath, and the track can be boggy when wet.

On summit days, the views repay the effort. Ben Wyvis dominates to the north, and the valley below shows off exactly why people keep coming back to this part of the Highlands. The walk itself takes most people between two and three hours return, depending on fitness and how long you linger at the top.

The real crowd tends to do this from Strathpeffer itself - the town's a few minutes away, making it a proper logical choice if you're based there. It works brilliantly as a morning walk before exploring the spa town's Victorian gardens and mineral springs. Weather matters hugely here, as it does with all Highland peaks. A murky day leaves you staring at grey nothing, so pick your window carefully.

Historically this is Mackenzie country, and locals have been walking these slopes for generations. For families, it's achievable without being trivial - older children will manage fine, though younger ones might find the return journey tedious. If you're staying at somewhere like Highland Heights Luxury Glamping nearby, it's the sort of walk that makes your afternoon feel properly earned.