Hill of Clais nan Earb

The walk up Clais nan Earb from near Keith is a proper hill rather than a mountain, which honestly makes it all the more appealing if you're not after a full day's alpine expedition. You get decent Highland views without needing technical kit or a dawn start. The path is straightforward enough - nothing too gnarly - and takes maybe ninety minutes to the summit depending on fitness.

It's the kind of walk that suits families with older kids and keen walkers wanting something achievable in an afternoon. The moorland terrain is typical Aberdeenshire - brown and green and windswept - with no fancy viewpoints or visitor facilities at the top, just space and quiet. That's either brilliant or a bit underwhelming depending on what you're after. If you need a café afterwards, Keith's your nearest pit stop, though it's fairly modest.

The real value here is that it slots nicely into a broader Highlands trip. Pair it with Hillside Havens holiday park just up the road - that's a solid base for exploring this corner of Aberdeenshire without the faffing of finding somewhere new each night. It's free to walk, naturally, and there's no 'official' visitor season, so you can go whenever the weather looks half decent. Don't expect crowds or signposting that treats you like a tourist. This is hiking as it should be - just you, a map, and whatever the Scottish weather decides to throw at you.