Kaim Hill

There's a proper grunt of a walk up Kaim Hill, but the effort pays off handsomely. This modest peak near Garthdee won't require mountaineering skills or kit, but it does demand a bit of fitness - the climb's relentless in stretches and takes a good couple of hours round trip depending on your pace.

Once you're up there, the views across Aberdeenshire open out nicely. You get a real sense of the landscape rolling away towards Deeside, and on a clear day it's the sort of spot where you understand why people bothered settling this bit of Scotland. The walk itself is straightforward enough - well-trodden paths, no scrambling about - which makes it popular with determined hikers who fancy something more substantial than a casual stroll but aren't ready for the bigger Cairngorm routes.

This isn't a destination for ambling around. You come here to walk, to earn your view, and then head back down. Kids might find it tedious unless they're already keen hill-walkers. Families staying at Deeside Holiday Park - just a few miles away - could slot this in as a half-day outing, though younger legs might struggle with the sustained climb.

Best tackled from late spring through early autumn when the ground's drier and the weather more forgiving. There's nothing fancy here - no facilities, no cafe - so bring what you need. It's honest, no-nonsense walking country.