Carnmont Hill

The walk up Carnmont Hill rewards you with proper Highland views across Aberdeenshire, and it's close enough to Stonehaven that you won't waste half a day getting there. The hill itself is modest in height but the approach is pleasant enough - rolling moorland with decent paths most of the way up, though the final push gets a bit boggy if you've had rain. You're looking at a good two to three hours up and back if you take it steady, which most people should.

On a clear day you genuinely can see for miles. The North Sea glints in the distance, and the landscape rolls away in all directions - that's the real reward rather than any summit structure or café at the top. It's walkers' territory, pure and simple. Families with young children might find it a bit of a slog, and anyone expecting dramatic peaks will find this underwhelming. But if you're after a proper moorland walk without the scramble, it does the job.

The caravan parks within a few miles - Upper Crawton, Cloak, and Stonehaven Queen Elizabeth - make this an obvious addition to a broader Highland holiday. You'll want to bring decent boots and a windproof. There's no charge and no facilities, so go self-sufficient. Aim for late morning on a settled day rather than tackling it in thick mist, which rolls in faster than you'd think.