Elrick Hill

A grassy bump on the outskirts of Kingswells that gives you a proper view across Aberdeenshire - that's Elrick Hill in a nutshell. It's not dramatic, but on a clear day you can see right across the farmland and woodlands that make up this part of the northeast. The walk up takes about ten minutes from the car park, and it's gentle enough for families with younger kids, though the path can get muddy after rain.

This is the kind of place you'd swing by with a packed lunch rather than make a special trip for. Spread a blanket, eat your sandwiches, let the children run about on the open grass. There's nothing fancy here - no facilities, no café, no visitor centre - which is exactly the point. You get space, air, and a decent vantage point without the fuss.

For anyone staying at Hillhead Caravan Park or Deeside Holiday Park - both just down the road - it's a handy morning or afternoon outing. Walkers heading out into the wider Aberdeenshire countryside might use it as a warm-up leg. It fits neatly into a weekend itinerary if you're exploring the area around Kingswells, though it's probably not worth a solo visit unless you're already in the neighbourhood. Go when the weather's forecast to be decent; a grey Scottish drizzle doesn't improve the appeal much.