Beinn an Fhudair

The walk up Beinn an Fhudair isn't long, but it's properly steep in places - the kind of hill that catches you out if you're not paying attention. Starting from near Grantown-on-Spey, you're looking at a decent morning's work or an afternoon if you're taking it slowly. The views across the Cairngorms plateau open up as you gain height, and on a clear day you can see for miles across heather moorland and distant peaks.

This isn't a ticketed attraction - it's a genuine Scottish hill walk, free and open year-round. Most people allow two to three hours for the round trip, depending on fitness and how many photos you stop for. The terrain's a mix of woodland path and open moorland, so decent boots matter more than mountain experience.

History buffs might get a kick out of the Gaelic name meaning 'hill of the hidden one', though there's no visitor centre or interpretation boards up there - just the landscape itself. Families with older kids will manage it fine; younger ones might find the steep bits a slog. Walkers wanting something between a casual stroll and a full day expedition will find it hits the sweet spot.

If you're based at Grantown on Spey Caravan Park, this makes a natural day out without needing to drive far. The town itself has shops and cafes for post-walk recovery, which matters more than it sounds after a few hours on the hill.