Woodstone Hill

The walk up Woodstone Hill rewards you with views across the Aberdeenshire coast that stretch all the way to the North Sea. It's not a massive peak - more of a proper hill walk than a mountain expedition - but the vantage point from the top makes the effort worthwhile, especially on a clear day when you can pick out landmarks for miles around.

This is walker territory, pure and simple. The ascent itself takes about 45 minutes to an hour depending on your pace, and the ground can be boggy in places, so decent boots matter. There's nothing here for the Instagram brigade or anyone after a five-minute leg stretch, but if you're the type who enjoys a straightforward hill walk with real views at the end, you'll find it satisfying. Families with older kids will manage it fine; younger ones might struggle with the distance.

The nearest proper stop for supplies or a pint after is Montrose, just down the road, which makes this a sensible addition to a wider walk around the area. If you're staying at St Cyrus Holiday Park or Royal Arch Riverside Park, both within striking distance, you could easily slot this in as a morning outing. There's no charge and no formal opening hours - it's just the hill. Aim for late spring through early autumn when the weather's more reliable, and definitely avoid it after heavy rain when the paths turn to soup.

Worth the detour if you're in the area and like your walking straightforward. Not worth travelling hours for, but absolutely worth doing if you're already staying locally.