Little Hill

The walk up Little Hill from Aboyne takes about forty minutes if you're not dawdling, and the whole outing - there and back with time at the top - is easily done in two hours. It's not a dramatic peak by Scottish standards, but that's rather the point. You get proper views across Deeside without the slog of bigger hills, and on a clear day you can see right across the valley towards the Cairngorms.

The path itself is straightforward enough, well-trodden and not particularly steep, which makes it ideal if you're travelling with older children or anyone who finds the bigger peaks a bit much. There's nothing technical about it - just steady walking through pleasant woodland that opens out as you climb. The summit gives you a genuine sense of achievement without leaving you knackered.

It works brilliantly as a morning or late-afternoon outing if you're based at one of the local caravan parks - Aboyne Loch is practically on the doorstep, while Tarland and Firbank are both within easy reach. The walk breaks up a park holiday perfectly, giving you some fresh air and movement without eating into your whole day. Go early in the day if you can; the midges can be tiresome in summer, and you'll have better light for photos.

Free to access, naturally. The nearest facilities and cafés are back in Aboyne itself, so grab what you need before heading out. Worth doing properly in decent boots rather than trainers - it's dry and firm underfoot on a normal day, but Scottish weather being what it is, you won't regret the extra grip.