Tomnahurich

The walk up Tomnahurich from Inverness is straightforward enough - a proper hill rather than a mountain, rising about 230 metres from the town's edge. Locals call it the 'Hill of the Fairies' in Gaelic, though on the day I visited it felt more like the Hill of the Midges, particularly in late afternoon. Still, the effort pays off once you're up there. The views across the Moray Firth and down the Great Glen are genuinely good, especially on a clear day when you can pick out Ben Wyvis in the distance. It takes about 45 minutes up if you're steady, maybe an hour if you dawdle and stop for photos.

This is the sort of walk that keeps families reasonably occupied without being demanding. Children aged eight upwards won't find it a slog, and the wooded lower slopes offer shade on hot days. Bring water - there's nothing on top. Admission is free, naturally, and you can start from the cemetery entrance just south of Inverness town centre.

The real value comes if you're basing yourself at one of the nearby caravan parks - Bunchrew or Coulmore Bay are within easy striking distance, perfect for a morning outing before heading elsewhere. It's not a headline attraction on its own, and you won't spend all day there, but as part of a Highland holiday centred on Inverness it's worth the climb. The descent is tougher on the knees than you'd expect, so take it slow.