Hermit Seat

The walk up to Hermit Seat, just outside Auchleven in Aberdeenshire, isn't long but it's proper steep in places. You're rewarded at the top with views across farmland and moorland that stretch for miles on a clear day - the kind of vista that makes you forget you've only climbed 300-odd metres. The peak itself is rocky and bare, which is half the appeal. There's an actual history here too: a hermit supposedly lived in a cave somewhere near the summit centuries back, though these days you're more likely to encounter red grouse than monks. It takes about 45 minutes from the car park if you're steady, maybe an hour if you're taking photos every few minutes. The path can get boggy after rain so proper walking boots matter more than fancy kit. This isn't a destination for toddlers or anyone after a gentle stroll - it's genuinely steep and exposed at the top - but hill walkers and anyone wanting exercise with a proper payoff will find it satisfying. Couples after a bit of solitude often have the place nearly to themselves mid-week. Free, naturally, and worth combining with a night or two at nearby Haughton Holiday Park if you're making a longer Aberdeenshire trip. Go when there's good visibility or don't bother - the weather changes fast up here.