Edzell Muir

The walk up Edzell Muir rewards you with proper Highland views the moment you crest the ridge. It's a straightforward climb from the car park near Laurencekirk - nothing technical, just steady gradient through heather and moorland that opens out to panoramic country once you've gained height. The reserve itself is largely unmanaged moorland, the kind of place where you'll spot red grouse, mountain hares if you're lucky, and plenty of bilberry underfoot. On a clear day, you can see right across towards the Cairngorms.

Walkers will get the most from this one. It's not a destination with facilities or interpretation boards - you're coming here for the walking and the views. Two hours is about right to reach the summit and amble back, though you can extend it if you're exploring the wider moorland. Bring a map and proper footwear; the terrain can be boggy in patches.

What makes it work is the lack of fuss. No visitor centre, no crowds, just you and the Aberdeenshire landscape. If you're staying at Royal Arch Riverside Park nearby, it's an easy detour - five minutes' drive and you've got yourself a proper morning out. Family groups with younger children might find the walk a bit exposed and featureless, but teenagers and keen walkers will rate it. The best light is late afternoon when the shadows lengthen across the moorland.