Barbet Hill

The walk up Barbet Hill rewards you with views across the Moray Firth that justify the climb. It's not a massive undertaking - more of a proper afternoon sortie from Banff than an all-day expedition - but the vistas over the coastline and inland valleys make it worthwhile if you're staying in the area.

You get genuine 360-degree views from the top. On a clear day, the sweep across the water towards the eastern coastline is excellent, and you can see well back into the Highlands. The terrain underfoot is reasonable enough, though it can be boggy in places depending on rainfall, so proper boots are advisable rather than trainers.

This works best for walkers who don't mind a moderate climb and have 90 minutes to two hours free. Families with younger children might find it a bit of a slog without much to do once you're up there, but if your kids are keen on reaching summits and spotting things from a distance, they'll get something from it. History buffs won't find much of note on the hill itself - it's purely about the landscape and the walk.

The location makes sense if you're based at Banff Links Caravan Park or one of the other parks nearby like Myrus or Whitehills. It's the kind of thing to tick off on a quiet afternoon in the region rather than a reason to travel specifically. Combine it with time in Banff itself and the coastal walks around Macduff, and it slots in nicely to a week exploring the northeast coast.