Hill of Goauch

The walk up Hill of Goauch isn't long, but it's proper steep in places - the sort of climb that gets your legs working within the first ten minutes. You're looking at roughly an hour return from Banchory, which makes it ideal if you've got a caravan parked at Feughside or Banchory Lodge and fancy a proper stretch without committing your whole afternoon to it.

Once you're up there, the Aberdeenshire landscape opens out in a way that makes the huffing worthwhile. You get views across the Highlands that feel genuinely remote, even though you're only a stone's throw from town. On a clear day it's worth the effort. On a grey one, less so - but that's Scottish hills for you.

Walkers will find it satisfying. It's steep enough to feel like you've done something, but not technical enough to require proper gear or experience. Families with older kids (nine or ten plus) will manage it fine, though younger ones might grind to a halt halfway up and ask why they're not at the park pool instead. There's nothing at the summit except the view and the satisfaction of having got there, so manage expectations accordingly.

The terrain is moorland and rough grass. Decent boots make a difference, especially after rain. There's no tea room at the top, no information board, no facilities - just you and the Highland air. Park access is free and unrestricted. It works brilliantly as a leg-stretcher between caravan days or a half-day adventure before heading back to Banchory for dinner.