Hill of Tomechole

The walk up Hill of Tomechole rewards you with one of those proper sweeping views across Aberdeenshire that justifies the slog. It's not a difficult climb - more of a steady pull than anything technical - but the gradient builds as you near the summit, and the moorland terrain demands decent boots. The view from the top stretches across the Highlands, and on a clear day you can pick out distant peaks that make the whole thing feel genuinely wild despite being only a few miles from Forres.

This is walker country, through and through. It's not a stroll you'd take toddlers on, but teenagers who can handle some proper exertion will find it satisfying. The hill itself is modest in height but feels bigger than its numbers suggest because of the exposure and the way the landscape opens up as you climb. Allow two to three hours for the round trip, depending on fitness and how long you linger at the top.

If you're based at ACE Adventures & Hideaways nearby - their glamping and activity offering is genuinely good - this makes a natural half-day excursion. The shoulder seasons work best: spring when the moorland's turning green, or autumn when the light sits lower and makes everything golden. Avoid it in heavy rain; the ground gets boggy fast and visibility disappears. Free to visit, naturally, as with most Scottish hills. It's the sort of place that reminds you why people bother with the Highlands at all.