Tom nan Cliath

The walk up Tom nan Cliath rewards you with proper Highland views the moment you crest the ridge. It's not a huge mountain - 700-odd metres - but it punches above its weight, sitting just south of Inverness and offering sight lines across the Moray Firth on a clear day. The approach is steep in places, a bit relentless actually, but nothing that demands technical skill or special kit. Allow two to three hours for the round trip depending on your pace and how long you linger at the top. The path itself isn't always obvious, so come with a decent map or a GPS app loaded - there's no visitor centre, no signposts, just you and the mountain. Serious walkers will enjoy the leg work and the genuine sense of isolation, even though you're minutes from the city. Families with younger kids might find it a slog without reward if the weather's poor - the views are everything here, and cloud cover changes that equation entirely. Go on a day when visibility is good. You're well positioned for a broader Highlands trip too. Tomatin Glamping Pods sits just 1.6 miles away and makes for a comfortable base if you're after something a step above a tent. It's the sort of walk that feels like a proper Scottish mountain experience without requiring the drive into the far north - handy if Inverness is your hub and you've got limited time to explore.