Let’s go for a walk, she said. Where? I asked. Dingwall, she replied.

I know better than to question the boss, but I must admit that I bit my tongue.

I’d been to Dingwall countless times to watch Ross County but I’d never considered the Ross-shire’s county town as an active outdoors destination. So I was pleasantly surprised by my wife’s choice.

She’d spotted the circular route that passes the Macdonald Monument in the Loch Ness, Inverness, Black Isle and Affric 40 Favourite Walks book by Paul and Helen Webster.

I was sceptical as we parked in the town centre and headed down the high street towards the canal.

This was unchartered territory for me, so I kept faith in the Mrs and followed her lead, kids in tow.

Route details

Dingwall circuit

Distance 3.5 miles / 5.5km

Terrain Varied – paths, grass, tarmac

Start/finish Dingwall town centre

Map OS Landranger 26; OS Explorer 432

A circular route that would be suitable for walkers, runners and cyclists

Click here to see the route in OS Maps

We crossed the railway line carefully and followed the path, taking us past fields with Highland Football Academy and the home of the Staggies on the other side.

It seemed like a popular Sunday morning jaunt with several dog walkers and a couple of groups of what looked like Army cadets – it was hard to tell exactly who they were or how many in their camouflage.

As we reached the picnic area, the Cromarty Firth vistas opened up with spectacular views. Another unexpected treat.

It was muddy underfoot so we moved on swiftly rather than perching to eat our sandwiches.

Continuing along the coastal path, we spotted wildlife (bird spotters may appreciate it but my lack of ornithological knowledge means I’m unable to tell you exactly what we saw) and a kayaker (or maybe it was a canoe – I know I’m showing my ignorance further, but it was a individual in a vessel who seemed to be enjoying themselves).

There were a few benches, so we stopped for a snack and our flask of tea while just enjoying a chance to be in the moment. Many people have such hectic lives that the chance of simply relaxing for a few minutes in fresh air while eating a Kit-Kat and watching nature is relatively rare.

Getting back in motion, I noticed the terrain changes throughout this 6k trek, including soggy grass, mud, stones and tarmac. My recommendation is walking boots, but I can imagine some could run the route in trainers and it could be cycled too, although you have to dismount at the train tracks.

The so far relatively flat path switched to an incline as we moved inland, crossing the tracks again. There’s a tunnel which passes under the main road to the town (A862), then the climb past a farm (maybe two) towards the monument.

We seemed to go past it as the road levelled then hooked round for views overlooking Dingwall and its landmarks.

With the monument now our main focus, we headed down the hill towards it, when the kids spotted an array of tributes to popular children’s books and nursery rhymes – such as Charlotte’s Web and Incy Wincy Spider – on the trees, as well as fairies and their wee houses.

I’d never visited the monument so passing through the cemetery before taking a closer look at it surrounded by cannons was quite something.

We left via the winding road back into the town centre, where we visited Tesco and Poundstretcher. The kids were offered the chance of a Wimpy, but declined.

So after about two hours we were back in the car and away home, with me telling the Mrs we should do it again some time – for anyone that knows me, that’s probably the highest endorsement I would give. You should do it too.

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