Wood Hill

The walk up Wood Hill gives you views across the Moray Firth that justify the leg work. It's a proper Highland peak without the drama of Ben Wyvis or other big names - the sort of place locals know and tourists miss. From the top you get the full sweep of the coast around Fortrose, and on a clear day the visibility stretches far enough to make you understand why this corner of the Highlands feels less crowded than the west.

It's neither steep nor technical. The paths are reasonably well-maintained and the whole thing takes about an hour and a half at a normal pace. Families with kids of eight and up will manage it fine; younger ones might lose patience on the final push. There's genuine countryside up there rather than manicured views - scrub, heather, the occasional bog patch. You'll want decent boots and a waterproof because this is the Highlands and the weather doesn't read guidebooks.

Worth doing as part of a longer loop around Fortrose Bay. The campsite there sits at 5.0 stars and you can base yourself for a night or three, using Wood Hill as a morning venture before exploring the Black Isle. Coulmore Bay Holiday Park and Ardtower Caravan Park both work as staging posts too. Free to visit, no facilities at the summit, and go early to avoid the midges in summer.