Baron's Hill

The walk up Baron's Hill rewards you with views that stretch across Aberdeenshire's rolling landscape - and it's genuinely worth the leg work. From Blairgowrie, this is a proper hill walk rather than a casual amble, so bring decent boots and leave the flip-flops at home.

What you get is a genuine Scottish Highland experience without needing to trek for eight hours. The summit gives you sight lines across glens and farmland that make you understand why folk have settled here for centuries. On a clear day it's magnificent. On a grey day - which is just as likely - it's moody and atmospheric.

Historically, it's the sort of place where things happened, though not necessarily things anybody's written down in convenient plaques. You're walking where others have walked, and that's quite enough.

The route is moderate - maybe 45 minutes to an hour depending on your fitness - so families with older kids will manage it fine. Younger ones might find it a slog. Go early if you can; the light is better and you won't be jostled by others, though Baron's Hill isn't exactly mobbed with visitors.

If you're staying at Nethercraig Holiday Park just down the road, this makes a perfect morning excursion. It'll take you a couple of hours round trip with a breather at the top. Free to walk, naturally. Just pick a day when the weather's cooperating - there's no point doing it in driving rain unless you're after the full dramatic experience.