Acker (Sanny Cot)

The walk up Acker rewards you with proper Highland views across Aberdeenshire - moorland rolling away in every direction, the kind of landscape that makes you understand why people move to Scotland and never leave. It's not a massive peak, which means you're not spending hours grafting up a mountainside, but the effort is just enough to feel earned when you reach the top.

You get the sense this is a place locals know rather than somewhere tour coaches drop you off. The summit's called Sanny Cot, and from up there you can see right across the Moray Firth region with Forres sitting below. On a clear day it's absolutely worth the detour if you're staying in the area - the views justify the walk without being so demanding that you need full fell-walking kit.

It's ideal for anyone who wants actual Scottish mountain air without the scrambling or technical bits. Families with older kids will manage it fine; younger ones might find it a bit of a slog depending on fitness levels. If you're camping at The Loft Glamping a few miles away, this makes for a brilliant morning or afternoon outing - you're not committing your whole day to it.

There's nothing fancy waiting for you at the top - no café, no visitor centre - just space and silence and that particular quality of light you only get in the Highlands. Bring water, wear proper boots, and go when the weather's forecast to be decent. The effort-to-reward ratio is genuinely excellent.