WaggTail Woods

WaggTail Woods sits just outside Inverness, a woodland walk that dog owners tend to gravitate towards - the name gives it away, really. It's proper woodland terrain, the sort of place where your spaniel will spend more time sniffing than walking, and frankly that's the whole appeal. The paths wind through dense trees and scrubland, nothing dramatic, but it's the kind of local spot that feels genuinely useful if you've got dogs in tow during a Highland park holiday.

The reality is you're looking at forty minutes to an hour here, depending on how many squirrels distract your lot. It's free to access and there's no faffing about with booking or gates - just turn up and walk. Not the sort of place to build a day around, but absolutely worth factoring in if you're based at Coulmore Bay Holiday Park or Bunchrew Caravan Park, both within easy reach.

Families without dogs might find it less compelling - there's no playground, no café, no "destination" feeling about it. But if you've got four-legged friends who need a proper run, or if you just want a straightforward woods walk to clear your head between park activities, this does the job. Bring decent shoes though; it can get boggy. Given how close it is to Inverness and the caravan parks dotting the area, it works best as a half-day addition to your Highland trip rather than a main event. Worth knowing about if you're after accessible woodland, nothing more.