Càrn Eàs

Càrn Eàs sits around 2,500 feet up in the Cairngorms, just south of Ballater, and it's the sort of hill that rewards a morning's graft without demanding a full mountaineering expedition. The walk in from the Ballater side is steep in places - proper leg work - but the views across the Royal Deeside valleys absolutely justify the effort. On a clear day you can see for miles across the glens and heather moorland.

It's not a technical climb, so reasonably fit walkers and families with teenagers will manage it fine. Younger kids might find the ascent tedious; the views mean nothing to them if they're knackered halfway up. Allow three to four hours for the round trip depending on fitness. The plateau at the top is genuinely impressive rather than cramped, and there's something satisfying about standing up there knowing you've earned it rather than driven to a car park and strolled about for twenty minutes.

There's no visitor centre or facilities - bring water and a snack. Go early in the day if possible; the weather rolls in fast up here, and afternoon mist can turn the whole thing into a grey trudge. Spring through early autumn is your window, though the midges can be merciless in July and August.

If you're staying at Braemar Caravan Park down the road, Càrn Eàs makes a cracking day out. It fits neatly into the broader walking landscape around Deeside without being the sort of peak that requires special planning or a guide.