Balmashanner Hill

The drive up to Balmashanner Hill catches you off-guard. One moment you're winding through Aberdeenshire farmland near Forfar, the next you're climbing onto open moorland with views that stretch across the Highlands in a way few Scottish viewpoints manage without the crowds. It's not a dramatic peak - more a substantial hill that's been left alone long enough to feel properly wild.

Once you're up there, the horizon opens right out. On a clear day you can see miles of rolling terrain, with the landscape dropping away in layers of purple heather and dark green forestry. The wind can be bracing - bring a proper jacket - but that's half the appeal. This isn't a polished visitor experience. There's no café, no visitor centre, no queue of tour buses. Just you, the moorland, and genuinely good views.

Walkers will get the most from this. Allow an hour for the climb and to properly drink in the vista, longer if you want to explore the surrounding paths. It's the sort of place families with older kids will enjoy - younger ones might find the walk tedious without a specific goal. The nearest facilities are back in Forfar, so come prepared.

If you're staying at Greenhillock Glamping just four miles away, this is a cracking spot for a morning sortie before returning for lunch. It's the kind of viewpoint that doesn't appear in every guidebook, which is exactly why it's worth the detour.