Torr Achilty

The walk up Torr Achilty kicks off from near Strathpeffer, and it's a proper little hill rather than a slog. Once you're up there - and it won't take you more than an hour or so - you get views across the Highlands that feel like they belong on a postcard, except better because you've earned them. The Moray Firth glints in the distance on a clear day, and the surrounding peaks roll out in every direction.

It's the sort of walk that suits anyone moderately fit. Families with older kids will manage it fine; younger ones might find it a bit much depending on their legs. The terrain is mostly straightforward highland moorland, though it can get boggy in wet weather, so decent boots matter. There's a cairn at the top - nothing fancy, but a good spot to stop and take in the view before heading back down.

If you're staying at Highland Heights Luxury Glamping nearby, this makes a cracking morning outing. You won't need to set aside a full day - two to three hours total is realistic. The best time to go is spring through early autumn when the weather's more reliable and the midges less heinous. Winter's possible but you'll need to watch the light.

Strathpeffer itself is a quiet Victorian spa town with decent facilities, so you can grab coffee and cake afterwards. The walk doesn't cost anything - it's just a matter of turning up and getting after it.