Cheyne Hill

The walk up Cheyne Hill rewards you with proper views across Aberdeenshire - nothing dramatic, but genuinely worth the effort if you're based around Stonehaven. It's a straightforward hill walk rather than a technical scramble, so families and casual hikers will manage it fine without drama. The summit sits high enough to give you sight lines down to the coast and inland towards the Highlands, and on a clear day you can pick out familiar peaks in the distance.

Allow yourself a couple of hours there and back - it's not a long haul, but the path deserves respect. Go early or midweek if you value quiet. The weather up here shifts fast, so waterproofs aren't optional. There's nothing on the hill itself - no café, no facilities - so bring what you need.

If you're staying at Stonehaven Queen Elizabeth Park or one of the other caravan sites nearby (Upper Crawton Park and Cloak are both excellent), Cheyne Hill makes a solid morning's work before heading back for lunch. It pairs well with Stonehaven itself - the old harbour town is worth an afternoon poke around. The hill doesn't require any booking or payment, which is refreshing. It's the sort of place that feels like your own discovery rather than everyone else's Instagram location. Real value for the time you'll spend.