Herd Hill

The walk up Herd Hill from Banchory is a proper afternoon's work, but the views across Deeside make it worth the graft. It's not a massive peak - nothing like the bigger Cairngorms stuff you get further west - but it gives you that real sense of elevation without needing crampons and a rope team.

You're looking at a couple of hours up and back, depending on fitness. The path isn't terrible, though it gets boggy in places after rain, so decent boots are non-negotiable. On a clear day you can see right down the valley towards Banchory and across to the opposite hills. On a murky one you'll be in cloud five minutes from the top, which happens more often than not in these parts.

This is walker territory, pure and simple. It's not the kind of place where you bring small kids expecting an easy stroll - the ascent's steep enough to test legs properly. But if you're based at Royal Arch Riverside Park just outside Banchory, it's a cracking morning or afternoon escape that doesn't require a long drive.

The real charm is that Herd Hill doesn't get rammed. You might see a handful of other walkers, maybe none. It feels like proper Scottish hill country without the Instagram crowds you get on the busier peaks. Get up early, pack a flask, and you'll have the place to yourself.