Bin Hill

The walk up Bin Hill takes about forty minutes from Leslie, and it's proper straightforward - no scrambling, just a steady climb through moorland that opens up as you gain height. The summit sits at just over 600 metres, which doesn't sound much until you're standing there looking across Aberdeenshire's rolling farmland and, on a clear day, towards the Cairngorms. Worth doing on a day when the visibility is decent; if it's dreich and grey, you're paying for views you won't get.

This is walker territory, not a tourist attraction with cafes and facilities. Bring a map, proper boots, and layers - the weather changes fast up here. Families with older kids will manage fine; younger ones might find the 80 minutes of walking and back a slog. The ground can be boggy after rain, so check conditions first.

Bin Hill makes a solid morning expedition if you're based at Haughton Holiday Park, just five miles away. It's the kind of walk that clears your head without eating your whole day - finish by lunchtime, then crack on with whatever else is nearby. Aberdeenshire doesn't draw the crowds you get elsewhere in the Highlands, which is exactly why spots like this are worth the drive from Leslie.