Hill of Carlincraig

The walk up Carlincraig from Turriff takes about ninety minutes if you're not dawdling, and the view across Aberdeenshire makes every step worth it. It's a proper hill walk rather than a stroll - steep enough to get the heart going, but nothing that requires technical skill or fancy kit. The summit sits at just over 300 metres, which might not sound dramatic until you're standing there looking out towards the Cairngorms on a clear day.

This is one for walkers who actually want a walk, not families hoping for an easy afternoon out. Kids will manage it, sure, but they'll need to be the sort who don't complain after twenty minutes. The path can be boggy in places, especially after rain, so decent boots matter more than you'd think for a hill this size.

Timing-wise, allow three hours return including a sit-down at the top with a flask. Go in the morning if you can - afternoon light gets a bit flat this far north, and the midges can be fierce in summer if there's no breeze. Late spring or early autumn hits the sweet spot.

Combine it with a base at Turriff Caravan Park, which is handy for exploring the northeast Highlands without getting too remote. The town itself is workmanlike rather than picturesque, but it's got proper amenities and doesn't pretend to be something it isn't. The hill, though - that's the real draw.