Tom na Laimh

Climbing Tom na Laimh feels like sneaking into someone's back garden - it's compact enough that you'll be up and back down inside two hours, but steep enough to make you work for it. The peak rises near Grantown-on-Spey in the Cairngorms, and the views across the heather moorland and down towards Strathspey are genuinely worth the huffing and puffing.

It's a walker's hill rather than a destination in its own right. The paths are well-trodden but can be boggy after rain, so proper boots matter. You're looking at maybe 45 minutes up if you're reasonably fit, longer if you're taking it easy with kids. The summit itself is modest - not dramatic, not sweeping - but the walk itself keeps you engaged throughout.

This works brilliantly if you're based at Grantown on Spey Caravan Park and want a morning sortie that doesn't demand a full day out. It's the kind of hill that local hikers pop up for a breath of air rather than a proper expedition. History types won't find much here - it's purely about the walking and the views. Families with children aged ten upwards will manage it fine; younger ones might grind to a halt on the steeper sections.

Go when the weather's settled. Cloudy days render the views pointless. Free, naturally, and you'll need transport to the trailhead. The nearest town is only 5 or 6 miles away, so it slots neatly into a Highlands break without eating your entire schedule.