Gallows Hill

The walk up Gallows Hill, just outside Inverurie, takes about forty minutes if you're not dawdling. It's a proper brisk climb that'll get your heart going, but nothing technical - just a decent hill with views that open up the further you go. On a clear day you can see across Aberdeenshire towards the Cairngorms. The summit itself is modest; there's a trig point and a few wind-blown trees, but that's rather the point of it all.

Historically, the hill was used as an execution site - hence the name - though there's not much to mark that now beyond the bluntness of the place itself. You'll come across plenty of locals doing the circuit as a weekend walk, which says something about how good it is for a half-day outing. Takes about ninety minutes door-to-door if you're staying in Inverurie and setting a steady pace.

Families with kids aged eight upwards will manage it without complaint. Younger ones might find the walk itself more memorable than the view, which is fair enough. Walkers after a quick leg-stretcher will rate it. History buffs might appreciate the dark backstory, though there's precious little interpretation on the ground to explain it.

If you're based at Glamping Bothie or Hillhead Caravan Park, it's an easy drive and a decent way to break up a park holiday. Free to access, no facilities at the top, so bring water and a decent pair of boots. Don't expect solitude on a sunny weekend.