Drumgoudrum Hill

The walk up Drumgoudrum Hill takes about ninety minutes from the car park near Bithnie, and the effort pays off with proper views across Aberdeenshire's rolling farmland. It's not a technical climb - the path is straightforward enough, though a bit boggy underfoot in places after rain. From the summit you get a real sense of the landscape's scale, especially on a clear day when you can see across to the Grampians in the distance.

This is quintessential hill-walker territory rather than a casual stroll. Families with teenagers keen on outdoor stuff will enjoy it far more than young kids who'd find the ascent tedious. The reward isn't a dramatic peak or a famous viewpoint - it's the sense of being out in proper Scottish countryside away from the crowds.

If you're staying at Haughton Holiday Park nearby, it makes a decent morning outing to break up a park-based holiday. Pack a packed lunch and you've got a half-day sorted. The terrain means decent footwear is essential, especially in wet weather. There's no facilities at the summit, so come prepared with water and snacks. Free to access, obviously - it's just a hill. Go midweek if you can and you'll likely have it to yourself.