Durn Hill

The walk up Durn Hill rewards you with proper views across Banffshire and out towards the coast - on a clear day you can see why folk bothered climbing it in the first place. It's not a massive hike; most people knock it out in an hour or so from the Banff side, which makes it ideal if you're staying at one of the local caravan parks and fancy stretching your legs without committing to a full day's walking.

The hill itself is modest in height but the perspective from the top shifts how you see the landscape around here. You get a real sense of where Banff sits relative to the coast and the rolling inland terrain - it's the kind of viewpoint that actually tells you something about the geography rather than just being a nice photo spot. The path is straightforward enough, though it can get boggy after rain, so boots are sensible.

Walkers will get the most from this - it's not a destination attraction with facilities or anything theatrical at the summit, just open air and distance. If you're based at Sandend Holidays or Portsoy Links nearby, it's a cracking way to blow off steam between beach visits and driving around. Families with younger kids might find the descent a bit tedious on tired legs, but it's not steep enough to be actually difficult. Go when the weather's cooperating; a grey day strips away most of the appeal.