Hill of Laithers

The walk up Hill of Laithers is a proper leg-stretcher from Turriff, nothing fancy but rewarding if you've got a couple of hours to spare. It's a modest peak by Highland standards - the sort of hill that rewards effort without demanding full mountaineering kit - and the views back towards Aberdeenshire farmland and distant glens make the climb worthwhile.

The ascent itself is straightforward enough. You're looking at open moorland and rough grassland, so sturdy boots matter more than technical skill. On a clear day the perspective from the top pulls in a fair chunk of the northeast - proper expansive stuff that reminds you why folk bother with Scottish hills in the first place.

History buffs might appreciate that you're walking through landscape steeped in Aberdeenshire's rural past, though there's not much interpretation on the ground. It's really a hill for walkers who enjoy the doing rather than the destination - the path itself is the thing.

If you're based at Turriff Caravan Park, it makes sense as a half-day excursion. The town's close enough that you won't waste half the day driving, and it's the kind of walk you can tackle any time of year, though winter can turn it boggy. Allow two to three hours return. There's no visitor infrastructure at the top - bring water, wear layers, and don't expect crowds. It's honest walking, nothing more.