Creag nan Gabhar

The walk up Creag nan Gabhar from Ballater is one of those Scottish hill climbs that rewards you without demanding a mountaineer's skillset. It's a proper peak - 2,400 feet of Cairngorms granite - but nothing technical, and the views across Deeside and towards the Dee Valley make the leg-work worthwhile.

You're looking at a solid three hours there and back from the car park, gaining height steadily through heather and rough ground. The path isn't always obvious, which is either part of the charm or slightly annoying depending on how you feel about map-reading on a windy afternoon. I found it manageable in decent conditions, though spring and summer are obviously easier going than winter.

This suits hill walkers far more than casual strollers - there's no café at the top, no visitor centre, just a cairn and genuine Highland scenery. Families with confident young walkers can do it, but younger kids would find the ascent a slog. The real pull here is solitude. It's nowhere near as busy as Ben Nevis or other tourist peaks, which means you might actually get peace and quiet.

Coming here as part of a Braemar Caravan Park stay makes excellent sense - you're based in proper walking country, and Creag nan Gabhar is a decent half-day project without being overwhelming. Free to access, of course. Best tackled in daylight with a proper map and decent boots.