Garbet Hill

The walk up Garbet Hill rewards you with views across Aberdeenshire that stretch for miles on a clear day. It's a proper moorland climb, nothing technical, just steady legs and decent weather required. From Keith, you're looking at maybe forty minutes to the summit depending on your pace and the state of the path.

This is walkers' terrain, honestly. History buffs won't find much to sink their teeth into - no ruins, no plaques, just open hill and horizon. But that's rather the point. Families with confident walkers will find it manageable; younger kids might find the moorland a bit samey once the novelty wears off.

Timing matters. Early morning in summer gives you the best light and keeps midges at bay. Winter's bleak and the ground can turn to bog after rain, so pick your moment. The whole outing takes a couple of hours if you're not hanging about.

If you're staying at Hillside Havens nearby, this makes an excellent half-day outing. It won't demand a full day's expedition, but it scratches the hiking itch without the commitment of something bigger. The real appeal is the solitude and the straightforward physicality of it - climb up, drink in the view, climb down. No faffing about.