Cairn Eney

Cairn Eney sits just outside Forres in Aberdeenshire, a modest hill walk that punches above its weight if you know what you're after. It's not dramatic - no jagged ridges or Alpine vistas - but the climb itself is straightforward enough for reasonably fit walkers, and the summit cairn rewards you with proper 360-degree views across Moray and out towards the Highlands.

The walk takes about an hour and a half round trip from the car park. It's the sort of peak that appeals to people who want a genuine hill experience without needing mountaineering skills or scrambling. Families with older kids will manage it fine, though younger ones might find the pace frustrating. History buffs should know this landscape is thick with Bronze Age remains - you're walking through proper ancient territory.

Weather matters here. In mist, it's just a slog up moorland. On a clear day, especially autumn or early spring when the light's best, you'll see why locals bother. The terrain is boggy in places - proper Highland moorland rather than a manicured footpath - so good boots are essential, not optional.

If you're staying at ACE Adventures just down the road, Cairn Eney makes a cracking half-day sortie. It fits perfectly into a broader Moray exploration rather than being a destination in itself. Not a "must do," but genuinely worthwhile if the weather's on your side.