Craiglea Hill

The walk up Craiglea Hill from Aboyne is a proper leg-stretcher, but the climb pays back in spades once you're near the top. You're looking at maybe 45 minutes to an hour going at a steady pace, with views that open up across Deeside as you gain height. The hill itself isn't dramatic - it's what you'd call a working landscape, with moorland and forestry rather than jagged peaks - but that's rather the point. This is where Scottish Highland scenery does understated rather than showy.

Walkers will get genuine satisfaction from it. The route's straightforward enough, nothing technical, but steep enough in sections to remind your legs they're doing something. Families with kids aged eight-plus can manage it fine; younger ones might find it a slog. The real appeal is how close you feel to the landscape once you're up there, and how clear the air typically is. On a decent day you can see for miles. Bring waterproofs regardless - this is Aberdeenshire, and the weather changes its mind frequently.

It ties in nicely with a stay at Tarland Camping & Caravanning Club Site just down the road, a solid base camp for this kind of hiking. The site's well-reviewed and within easy reach. There's no visitor centre or café at the hill itself, so come prepared with water and snacks. Best to attempt it mid-morning when the light's decent and you've got the afternoon ahead. Summer months give you the longest daylight, though autumn brings sharper visibility. Go for the walk itself rather than expecting a destination - that's when Craiglea works best.