Braushie Cree

Braushie Cree sits above Keith in Aberdeenshire, a modest Highland peak that rewards walkers with proper views across the Speyside valley. The walk itself isn't brutal - most people manage the ascent in under an hour - but it's steep enough to feel like you've earned your coffee when you reach the top.

On a clear day the panorama stretches south towards the Cairngorms, though I'll be honest, the summit can disappear into cloud even when the lowlands look perfectly fine. The path is boggy in places and there's not much shelter, so waterproofs aren't optional. There's no café, no visitor centre, just open moorland and honest views.

This works best for walkers who already know the area and want a quick hill without driving far from Keith. It's not a destination peak - the sort of thing where you'd book a holiday around it - but if you're staying at Hillside Havens nearby, it's a genuine alternative to the busier Cairngorm trails. Families with younger kids might find 90 minutes of moorland walking a bit monotonous, though older teenagers who like getting out will be fine.

Go in late spring or early autumn when the midges are less vicious and the light stays decent into evening. Winter can be bleak here, and navigating in mist requires map skills. Free to climb, obviously. Allow two hours return, more if you're not a regular hill walker.