Scaut Hill

The walk up Scaut Hill near Keith rewards you with views across Aberdeenshire that stretch for miles on a clear day. It's not a particularly high summit - nothing that'll leave you gasping for breath - but the climb is steady and straightforward enough for most fitness levels.

Once you're up there, the landscape opens out. You get a proper sense of the rolling countryside that makes this part of the Highlands special, and on a good afternoon the light across the glens is genuinely lovely. The walk itself takes a couple of hours from Keith, depending on your pace and how long you linger at the top.

This is ideal territory for walkers who want something achievable without needing mountain experience or specialist gear. Families with kids aged eight and up will manage it fine, though younger children might find the return journey a bit much. Birdwatchers often make the trip - there's decent wildlife around if you're patient.

If you're staying at Hillside Havens or Cairnty Lodges (both excellent bases nearby), Scaut Hill slots nicely into a day's exploring without eating up hours. Park your car in Keith and allow three to four hours total including a break at the summit. Best tackled in decent weather - the views are the whole point, after all, and cloud cover will rob you of them entirely. There's nothing much up there in terms of facilities, so bring water and something to eat.