Craig Watch

The walk up Craig Watch rewards you with views across the Highlands that stretch for miles on a clear day. It's a proper hill rather than a gentle stroll - the climb from Keith takes about an hour if you're fit, longer if you're taking it steady. The peak itself is bare and windswept, nothing fancy, but that's rather the point. You get wide skies and far horizons without the crowds that plague better-known peaks.

This one suits walkers who want fresh air and distance without needing scrambling experience or specialist kit. The terrain is moorland and rough grass - bring decent boots and waterproofs, because weather turns fast up here. Allow two to three hours total if you're coming from Keith. Early morning is best, when you might have the place to yourself and the light hits those distant hills just right.

If you're staying at Hillside Havens nearby, Craig Watch makes a solid half-day outing. Kids aged ten and up will manage it fine, though younger ones may find the final push tedious. There's no café at the top, just wind and views. The real appeal is that this feels like proper wild country - not manicured, not overcrowded, just a bit of moorland where you can think clearly. Worth the detour if you're exploring Aberdeenshire properly rather than rushing through.