Hill of Canterland

The climb up Hill of Canterland rewards you with views across Aberdeenshire that stretch for miles on a clear day. It's not a dramatic peak - nothing like the volcanic plugs further west - but the walk itself is straightforward and the panorama from the top takes in farmland, woodland, and on good visibility, you can see right across to the coast near Montrose.

This is proper walking territory, not a tourist honeypot. You'll see locals out here more often than visitors, which is refreshing. The ascent takes the best part of an hour depending on fitness, and it's muddy in places after rain, so proper boots matter. Allow two to three hours for the round trip if you're not rushing.

Families with older kids will manage it fine. Younger ones might find it a slog without the payoff of a dramatic summit view, though there's something to be said for teaching them that not every hill needs to look like a postcard. Walkers and photography types will get more from it, especially in winter light when the shadows are longer.

If you're staying at St Cyrus Holiday Park or Royal Arch Riverside just down the road near Montrose, this is a logical morning or afternoon outing to break up the week. It doesn't demand much planning - just turn up, park sensibly, and head up. No entry fees that I can find, no visitor centre, no faffing about. That's rather the point of it.