Auldtown Hill

The walk up Auldtown Hill takes you out of Turriff proper and into proper Highland terrain, even if you're not exactly scrambling over peaks. It's a modest height gain, but the views back across Aberdeenshire farmland are reason enough to make the effort. On a clear day you can see for miles - rolling fields, the odd plantation of dark conifers, and that particular quality of light that makes the Scottish landscape feel both intimate and vast at once.

The path isn't technically demanding, which makes it accessible for families who don't fancy anything too ambitious, though younger kids might need a hand on the steeper sections near the top. Walkers after a proper leg-stretch will find it rewarding without eating up half the day. The terrain is a mix of open moorland and woodland - bring a decent map and waterproof because the weather changes fast up here.

There's nothing fancy at the summit itself, no café or visitor centre, just the view and a bit of peace. That's rather the point. Worth combining with other walks in the area if you're based at Turriff Caravan Park - you're positioned nicely for exploring the wider Aberdeenshire countryside. Allow a couple of hours round trip depending on your pace and how long you linger at the top. Free access, naturally. Go when the weather's cooperating; nothing worse than climbing a hill into cloud.