Dilly Hill

The walk up Dilly Hill from Inverurie takes about an hour and rewards you with proper views across Aberdeenshire's rolling farmland. It's not dramatic - you won't get the kind of sweeping Highland vistas that make you gasp - but on a clear day you can see right across the valley towards the Bennachie range. The path is straightforward enough, a bit muddy in places, and local walkers seem to treat it as their regular leg-stretcher rather than a destination in itself.

This is the sort of hill that suits families with kids who've got some stamina but aren't ready for anything serious. An hour up, twenty minutes to sit about eating crisps at the top, then back down before anyone gets fractious. The summit itself is modest - a cairn and not much else - but it's the kind of spot where you feel like you've actually achieved something without needing special kit or booking anything in advance.

If you're staying at Hillhead Caravan Park just down the road, it's an obvious morning option. You could also string it together with Glamping Bothie nearby if you want to combine a night under canvas with some gentle hillwalking. The best time is late spring through early autumn - winter can be damp and gloomy, and the path's no fun when it's slick. No facilities at the summit, so bring water and something to eat. It's free, obviously, and you can start from town without paying for anything.