Hill of Balmaleedy

The walk up Balmaleedy is a proper leg-burner, but the effort pays off once you crest that final stretch and the Aberdeenshire landscape spreads out beneath you. It's not a towering peak - more of a sturdy hill that rises from rolling farmland - but the views justify the climb. On a clear day you can see for miles across the Scottish Highlands, with the Grampians in the distance and the Mearns rolling away to the south.

If you're staying at Royal Arch Riverside Park or St Cyrus Holiday Park near Laurencekirk, this makes an excellent half-day outing. The walk takes around two hours there and back depending on your pace, so it's not something you'll tag on to an afternoon of other activities. Walkers will get the most from it - families with younger kids might find the climb tedious, though the reward at the top keeps most people motivated.

The approach is straightforward enough from the Laurencekirk side, though there's no obvious visitor infrastructure when you arrive. Free to access, no gates or barriers, which is how many Scottish hills work. Bring proper boots - the ground gets boggy even after light rain, and the path can be slippery. Start early if you can; cloud tends to roll in by mid-afternoon and you'll lose that panoramic punch that makes the climb worthwhile. Best visited between April and October when the weather is most cooperative.