Cnoc na Mòine

The walk up Cnoc na Mòine isn't dramatic, but that's rather the point. This modest Highland peak sits within easy reach of Tain, offering straightforward hill walking without the crowds you'd find on Ben Wyvis or the Cairngorms. The summit sits at 761 metres - hardly Alpine - but the views across the Moray Firth and down to the coastal plains around Dornoch are genuinely rewarding, especially on a clear day.

What you get here is proper Scottish moorland: heather underfoot, wind at your back, and the kind of light that makes you understand why people stay in these glens. The walk itself takes around two hours return from the nearest approach, depending on fitness and exact route choice. There's no facility or ceremony to it - just hill, sky, and the small satisfaction of reaching the top.

This works brilliantly if you're based at one of the nearby caravan parks - Dornoch Caravan & Camping Park or Cannich Woodland Camping are both within striking distance - and need a half-day outing without driving far. Families with older kids will find it manageable; younger ones might struggle with the steady gradient and lack of obvious rewards along the way. It's not a peak that calls for Instagram photos, but that's fine. Sometimes a hill is just a hill, and the walk is the point. Free, naturally. Go on a clear morning if you can.