Dunbennan Hill

The walk up Dunbennan Hill takes about forty minutes from Huntly, and it's properly worth the effort. You're rewarded with views across Aberdeenshire that stretch for miles - on a clear day you can see right across the Highlands. The summit itself is nothing fancy, just a cairn and some open moorland, but the perspective from up there is genuinely impressive.

It's a straightforward hill walk, steep in places but nothing technical. Families with older kids will manage it fine, though younger ones might find the exposed sections a bit much. History buffs should note you're walking through land that's been shaped by centuries of Scottish settlement - the views from the top take in castles and glens that tell the story of the region.

There's no charge to walk it, which is typical for Scottish hills. Allow a couple of hours return if you're taking your time and actually looking at the views rather than just bagging the summit. Best done on a dry day when visibility is decent - midweek or early morning beats weekends for avoiding crowds.

If you're staying at Huntly Castle Holiday Park down in town, this makes a cracking half-day outing. You can be back for lunch without much fuss, and it's the sort of walk that properly clears your head before settling in for the afternoon.