Hill of Maud

The climb up Hill of Maud takes about twenty minutes if you're reasonably fit, and the effort pays off with proper views across Aberdeenshire's rolling farmland toward the coast. It's not dramatic or alpine - nothing like the Cairngorms - but on a clear day you can see right out to the Moray Firth, which is worth the leg work.

This is a walk for people who want to move without drama. No scrambling, no exposure, just a steady hill path that locals clearly know well. Families with older kids will manage it fine; younger ones might grumble on the way back down. The whole outing takes an hour, ninety minutes max if you potter about at the top taking photos.

It works brilliantly as a morning walk if you're staying around Buckie or using one of the nearby caravan parks - Greencraig Pods is barely a mile away, and Hillhead Hideaways not much further. You could easily pair it with a walk round Cullen or a visit to one of the coastal villages along here. Don't expect a cafe or facilities at the top; bring water and dress for Scottish weather, which changes roughly every ten minutes.

Free to visit, obviously. Go when it's not raining sideways if you want to see anything. Early morning is decent if you want the place to yourself.