Lord Arthur's Hill

The walk up Lord Arthur's Hill near Bithnie is steep but mercifully short, and the views across Aberdeenshire from the top make it worth the lung-busting effort. On a clear day you can see for miles - proper rolling farmland and distant hills that shift colour depending on the light. There's something satisfying about bagging a peak that doesn't require hours of slogging.

The hill itself isn't dramatic. It's moorland and rough grass, the kind of place where you'll hear grouse scatter as you climb and spot the occasional walker. Allow 45 minutes to an hour for the round trip if you're taking it at a reasonable pace and stopping for breath. It's ideal for families who've got mobile kids and limited patience, or anyone after a brisk leg-stretch without committing to a full day's expedition.

If you're staying at Haughton Holiday Park a few miles away, this works perfectly as a morning outing before lunch. The nearest facilities are in Bithnie itself, which is small - nothing fancy, but it's where you'll fill up the car or grab a sandwich before heading out. Winter can make the slopes slippery underfoot, so pick your weather. Summer mornings are best when the air's clear and the midges haven't properly woken up. Free to visit, no car park to speak of - just pull in sensibly and go. Not a destination in itself, but a proper little find if you're in the area.