Brown Hill

The walk up Brown Hill rewards you with proper Highland views across Aberdeenshire - nothing extreme, but genuinely worthwhile if you're based near Banchory. The summit's modest in height but the sightlines are clean, especially on a clear day when you can pick out the distant peaks beyond the Dee Valley.

This is walkers' territory rather than casual strollers. Allow a couple of hours return from the car park - the path climbs steadily without being vicious, though your legs will know you've been out. The terrain's typical Scottish upland stuff: a mix of heather moorland and rough grass that gets boggy after rain, so waterproof boots aren't optional. Summer's best, but even then pack a windproof - the exposure at the top is real.

Families with kids aged eight and up will get something out of it if they're already into walking. Younger ones will likely find the slog tedious for the view. History enthusiasts won't find much here - it's pure landscape rather than stones and stories.

Free to walk, obviously. No facilities at the summit or halfway up, so bring water and a snack. Brown Hill sits perfectly with a broader Aberdeenshire hillwalking itinerary - close enough to Banchory that you're not burning half a day driving.

The caravan parks here are solid for base camping. Silverbank and Banchory Lodge both rate five stars, which speaks volumes. From either, Brown Hill makes a straightforward morning or afternoon expedition before lunch or supper in town.