Cairn Duhie

A proper slog up Cairn Duhie, but you'll understand why once you're standing on top. This granite peak rises 1,155 metres above Aberdeenshire's moorland, offering views that stretch across the Scottish Highlands when the weather cooperates - which, let's be honest, isn't always. The walk itself takes a good three to four hours depending on your fitness and which route you tackle from Forres.

It's the kind of hill that rewards serious walkers rather than casual strollers. The terrain gets properly boggy in places, and the final push requires decent legs, but history enthusiasts will appreciate the cairn itself - a Bronze Age burial site that's been standing here for thousands of years. Standing at the summit wondering who built it and why is worth the mud.

Wildlife watchers and landscape photographers will find themselves coming back here. Golden eagles aren't rare, and the light across the moorland at sunset is genuinely special. Bring proper boots, waterproofs, and map skills - there's no café at the top, and the weather can turn quickly.

If you're camping or glamping at ACE Adventures & Hideaways nearby, Cairn Duhie makes an excellent full-day excursion. It's close enough to base yourself there, yet feels genuinely remote once you're on the hill. Not the easiest Highland walk you'll do, but one of the most rewarding.