Hill of Tillybath

The Hill of Tillybath isn't going to blow your mind with height or views, but it's the sort of place you'll find yourself steering towards if you're based near Banchory for a few days. It's a proper little walk rather than a proper mountain - the kind of outing that takes an hour or so and gives you a decent sense of achievement without requiring fell-walking boots and all the kit.

From the top you get a reasonable outlook across Aberdeenshire, especially if the weather plays ball. The approach is straightforward; locals use it as a quick leg-stretcher when they're not pushing for more serious Cairngorms territory. There's nothing flashy about it - no visitor centre, no facilities that I could find, just a walk that actually feels like walking rather than a sanctioned tourist experience.

Families with kids aged seven and up will manage it without complaint. Walkers who aren't after Munros but fancy something purposeful will appreciate the lack of crowds. History types won't find much to excite them, so go because you want the walk itself, not the destination story.

If you're staying at Feughside or Banchory Lodge Caravan Parks - both minutes away - this is an obvious morning sortie before breakfast. Even Glen Dye Cabins at 5.2 miles makes it a reasonable diversion. No admission fee that I'm aware of. Best to go early to miss any afternoon weather rolling in. Worth it if you're in the area, not worth detouring specifically to do it.