Hill of Bogairdy

The walk up Hill of Bogairdy is proper straightforward - nothing technical, just a steady climb through moorland that rewards you with views across Aberdeenshire that feel genuinely expansive. On a clear day you can pick out the Cairngorms to the south and the North Sea haze to the east. It's accessible enough that families with older kids won't struggle, though younger ones might find the unrelenting ascent tedious. Allow two hours return from the car park, maybe less if you're quick.

This is walker territory rather than sightseer terrain. You won't find a cafe at the top or even a bench - just open hill and the chance to breathe properly. The terrain is rough in places, boggy in others depending on rainfall, so decent boots matter. Bring waterproofs even when the forecast looks decent. Free to visit, naturally.

If you're staying at Huntly Castle Holiday Park - just 3.5 miles away and decent value - you could knock this out as a morning or afternoon diversion without it eating your whole day. Huntly itself has the castle ruins if weather turns foul, and the town's worth a mooch for supplies before heading up. The peak works best in summer months when daylight stretches and ground conditions are less waterlogged, though spring and autumn can be excellent if you catch a settled spell.