Hill of Swanley

The walk up Hill of Swanley rewards you with proper Highland views across Aberdeenshire - nothing fancy, just good open moorland and the sort of vista that makes you understand why people bother with boots. It's a modest peak near Stonehaven, the kind of hill that doesn't announce itself but delivers once you're up there.

You'll find mostly grassland underfoot with heather scattered about, and the path is straightforward enough that you don't need a map, though conditions can get boggy after rain. The summit itself is uncluttered - no cairn, no trig point, just the landscape spreading out. Allow a couple of hours for the round trip from the base, depending on your pace and how long you linger at the top.

Walkers will get the most from this one. It's not dramatic enough for Instagram purposes, but it's exactly the sort of hill that locals use regularly without fuss. Families with young children might find the initial climb a bit steep for the return, though there's nothing technical about it.

If you're based at one of the excellent caravan parks nearby - Stonehaven Queen Elizabeth Park is just 3.9 miles away and highly rated - this makes a solid half-day excursion that doesn't require committing your whole afternoon. Pair it with Stonehaven's coastal walk if you want to mix hill and shore. The weather can turn quickly up here, so check conditions before you head out.