Braid Cairn

The walk up Braid Cairn is a proper Scottish hill experience without needing proper mountaineering kit. Starting from near Aboyne, you're looking at a straightforward pull onto the Cairngorms foothills, with views that open up as you climb. The summit cairn itself is modest but satisfying - the kind of place where you actually feel you've earned a vantage point over Deeside.

This one's ideal for families with teenagers or keen walkers who want something less serious than the higher Cairngorms peaks. Kids under ten might find the slog a bit much, depending on their legs. Allow a good three hours for the round trip, longer if you're stopping to soak in the views properly. There's no entry fee or facilities on the hill itself - it's just you, the path, and the landscape.

The nearby Ballater Caravan Park makes a solid base for a week exploring this corner of Aberdeenshire. Braid Cairn works perfectly as a morning walk before heading into Ballater itself for lunch, or as a late-afternoon climb if you've got the daylight hours. The surrounding area has other hill walks nearby, so you could easily string a few together if you're here for a proper hiking break.

Best visited in decent weather - Scottish hillside mist can come in quickly and the views are really the point here. Summer and early autumn give you the longest windows of opportunity.