Craigrae Beg

The walk up Craigrae Beg isn't dramatic, but it's honest. You get proper Highland views without needing technical gear or spending all day scrambling. It's one of those Aberdeenshire peaks that locals know rather than tourists - which means the paths are decent but you won't fight crowds.

From Aboyne, it takes about forty minutes to reach the summit. The hill rises to 1,302 feet, which means you'll feel like you've actually climbed something, but it's not brutal. The route itself winds through open moorland with the River Dee valley spreading below. On a clear day - and there are more of them than you'd expect in the Highlands - you can see across to Lochnagar and beyond.

This is solid walker territory. Families with kids aged eight upwards will manage it fine if they're used to a bit of exercise. Don't bring someone expecting an easy stroll, though; it's a proper hill. The summit's a flat, open space with a cairn, and that's exactly what you want - room to sit, get your breath back, eat a sandwich.

Staying at Firbank Park or Ballater Caravan Park puts you right in the sweet spot for accessing this and the surrounding Cairngorms foothills. Both parks sit within an easy drive, making Craigrae Beg a solid half-day excursion from a holiday base. Bring a waterproof whatever the forecast says. You'll need it.