Deer's Hill

Getting up to Deer's Hill takes you properly away from the everyday. This modest peak sits above Turriff in Aberdeenshire, offering the kind of walk that rewards you without demanding anything too technical - no scrambling, no drama, just honest ground beneath your feet and views that stretch across the rolling Highlands once you reach the top.

The summit itself isn't crowded, which is half the appeal. On a clear day you can see for miles across farmland and forest, and the relative quietness means you'll actually hear birdsong instead of other people's music. It's the sort of hill that local walkers know and love, but tourists often walk straight past.

This works brilliantly if you're based at East Balthangie Caravan & Camping Park or Turriff Caravan Park - both are close by and solid operations. You can do the hill as a morning walk, be back for lunch, and still have the afternoon free. Families with walkers aged seven or eight upwards will manage it fine; the little ones might find it a bit of a drag. Allow a couple of hours return, depending on pace and whether you linger at the top.

There's no visitor centre or facilities, so bring water and something to eat. The walk is free, obviously. Best done in drier months - it can turn boggy when wet. If you're after proper Highland drama and serious elevation, look elsewhere. If you want a genuine local experience without the faffing about, Deer's Hill delivers.