Brimmond Hill

The walk up Brimmond Hill starts near Kingswells and rewards you with views across Aberdeenshire that stretch for miles on a clear day. It's not a dramatic peak - at 336 metres it's more of a proper hill than a mountain - but that's rather the point. The paths are well-trodden and the gradient manageable, so families with reasonably fit kids won't struggle.

You get panoramic views across the Don Valley and towards the Cairngorms on good days. The summit itself is a bit bare and windswept, which means the views aren't obscured by trees, though you won't find shelter either. Budget around two hours for the round trip depending on your pace and how long you linger at the top.

It's the sort of walk that fills a morning nicely without eating your entire day. Runners use it regularly, and dog walkers know it well. The terrain is mixed - some proper paths, some grassier sections - so decent walking boots are worth wearing, especially after rain.

If you're staying at Deeside Holiday Park just down the road, this makes an ideal half-day outing. The walk scratches that Scottish hill-walking itch without requiring serious kit or navigation skills. Not dramatic enough to be a destination on its own, but absolutely worth the trip if you're in the area.