Burn of Midsand Nature Reserve

The Burn of Midsand cuts through moorland about four miles south of Thurso, and it's one of those places that rewards the quiet walk more than the quick visit. The burn itself is modest - a stream, really - but the landscape around it feels properly wild. You're in genuine Highland country here, the kind where the wind cuts across open ground and you spot golden eagles more often than people.

It works best for walkers who like a bit of solitude. There's no visitor centre or marked trails, so you need to know what you're after: either the walk along the burn itself, or the wider moorland that opens up around it. The rocky bed and small pools make it interesting if you're into geology or photography. An hour will do it, though you could stretch to two if you're exploring the surrounding hills.

The real appeal is the sense of being out in proper wilderness without needing to trek for hours. It's free, naturally, and there's parking rough ground nearby. Timing-wise, spring and early summer are best - the burn runs livelier and the light hangs late.

If you're based at Little Croft Highlands just down the road, this fits perfectly as a morning or afternoon expedition. It's not a sit-and-stare kind of attraction, but for walkers wanting to get off the main tourist routes and feel like they've actually gone somewhere, it's worth the detour.