Craiginour

The walk up Craiginour rewards you with proper views across Aberdeenshire's rolling countryside, though it's not the kind of peak that'll take your breath away - literally or figuratively. From Banchory, it's an easy enough drive to the trailhead, and you're looking at a couple of hours round trip for most walkers. The summit itself is fairly bare and windswept, which means the views carry further than they might elsewhere, but you won't find any shelter or facilities up there. It's the sort of hill that works brilliantly if you're based at one of the local caravan parks - Glen Dye Cabins, Banchory Lodge, or Silverbank - and fancy a morning out before lunch. Families with teenagers will enjoy it; younger kids might find it a slog without much payoff. The real appeal comes if you're collecting Cairngorms walks or want something manageable between proper mountain days. Spring and early summer are best - winter can be boggy and bleak, autumn equally so. There's no charge to climb it, naturally, but come prepared for Scottish weather regardless of the forecast. The landscape itself is that classic Highland mix of moorland and forestry, which means on a grey day it can feel a touch monotonous. Worth the detour if you're in the area? Yes, but don't rearrange your whole holiday round it. Combine it with Banchory's quieter appeal and you've got a solid half-day's outing.