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Castle Leod is the seat of Clan Mackenzie, a Category A-listed red sandstone tower house near the Victorian spa village of Strathpeffer, with Ben Wyvis behind it. It is believed to stand on the site of an ancient Pictish fort, and the Earl of Cromartie's family still lives here.

Tip: The castle is open to the public only on selected days each year, so check the website before you set off. Parking is for open days and private tour guests only.

Urquhart Castle is a ruined fortress on Strone Point, a headland overlooking Loch Ness, about two kilometres east of Drumnadrochit. It was once one of Scotland's largest castles, and its story takes in the Wars of Independence, raids by the Lords of the Isles and the Jacobite Risings, when departing government troops blew it up.

Tip: Book your visit online in advance to guarantee entry.

The Dalmore is a Highland single malt distillery in Alness, about 20 miles north of Inverness. It sits on the banks of the Cromarty Firth, overlooking the Black Isle, and has been making whisky since 1839. The distillery's website offers a distillery experience that you can reserve.

Landmark Forest Adventure Park is a nature-based theme and adventure park in Carrbridge, set within an area of ancient pine woodland. It opened in 1970 and was one of the first purpose-built visitor centres in Europe.

Tip: Book online in advance, as tickets are date specific and cheaper than buying on the day.

Cawdor Castle stands near Nairn in the Scottish Highlands. It is built around a 15th-century tower house, with later additions enclosing a courtyard reached by a drawbridge. The castle began as a Calder property and passed to the Campbells in the 16th century. In the lowest level of the tower you can see the remains of the small holly tree it was built around.

Tip: The castle and gardens only open to visitors for part of the year, so check the Cawdor Castle website for reopening dates before you set off.

Fort George is a large 18th-century fortress at Ardersier, built after the Jacobite rising of 1745 to control the Highlands. Its star-shaped design survives virtually unaltered, with grassed-over walls, bastions, a drawbridge and a wide ditch. The fortress has never been attacked, and it has been described as "a harmony of pure reason and serene menace".

Tip: Head for the Grand Magazine to see the Seafield Collection of Arms and, if you're lucky, the actors bringing 18th-century soldiers' stories to life.

Tomatin is a Highland single malt Scotch whisky distillery in the village of Tomatin, about 25 minutes south of Inverness. The distillery was established in 1897, closed in 1906 and reopened in 1909. By 1974 it had 23 stills and was the largest malt distillery in the world. That number was later reduced to 12, as the focus moved to single malts.

Tip: Tours can be booked through the Tomatin website.

Brodie Castle is a well-preserved Z-plan tower house near Forres, in the gentle Moray countryside. The rose-coloured castle was the ancestral home of the Brodie clan for over 400 years, and the family has been linked to the land since the 12th century.

Tip: Check the National Trust for Scotland website for current castle opening and tour arrangements before you set off.