Hill of Blackton

The walk up Hill of Blackton near Banff rewards you with views across the Aberdeenshire coast that stretch for miles on a clear day. It's not a dramatic peak - more of a proper hill walk than a mountain - but the vantage point over the surrounding farmland and towards the sea makes it worth the climb.

You'll get the most from this if you're a walker comfortable with moderate terrain. Families with older kids will manage it fine, though the very young might find the ascent tedious. The route itself is fairly straightforward, and you won't need serious kit - decent boots and weatherproof layers are enough. Allow about ninety minutes for a round trip if you're moving at a leisurely pace.

There's nothing fancy here. No cafe, no visitor centre, no entrance fee. It's just a hill to climb, which is exactly why it works. The appeal lies in that simplicity - you get genuine Highland scenery without the crowds you'd face at more famous peaks further west.

If you're staying at one of the nearby caravan parks - Banff Links is only four miles away, Myrus near Macduff a touch further - this makes an excellent afternoon excursion. It breaks up a coastal holiday nicely and takes you inland just far enough to feel like proper countryside. Go on a day when the wind isn't absolutely howling in off the North Sea, and you'll understand why locals keep coming back to it.