Hill of Alvah

The walk up Hill of Alvah, just outside Banff, rewards you with proper views across the Aberdeenshire coast. It's not a massive climb - maybe twenty minutes from the car park if you're moving at a reasonable pace - but it's steep enough to notice. The summit's bare and windswept, which means the vistas aren't cluttered by trees. On a clear day you can see right along the coastline towards Macduff and beyond.

This is solid territory for walkers after a quick leg-stretch without committing to a full day out. Families with older kids will manage it fine, though the final push is a bit relentless underfoot. The views alone make it worth the effort - the North Sea sprawls out properly, and you get a real sense of how the Aberdeenshire coast fits together geographically. Don't expect facilities up there. There's nothing, so bring water.

It slots nicely into a caravan park stay around Banff. If you're based at Banff Links or Myrus Holiday Park in Macduff (both within a couple of miles), you could knock this out before breakfast and still have the rest of the day free for the beaches or exploring further afield. Going early keeps you ahead of the breeze, which can get fairly fierce once the afternoon sets in. Allow an hour total, including the scramble back down.