Hill of Fevene

The walk up Hill of Fevene rewards you with proper Highland views - rolling moorland stretching out in every direction, and on a clear day you can pick out Loch Ness to the south. It's not a gruelling climb, which means families with older kids won't struggle, though the path can be boggy depending on the weather.

Once you're up there, you get a real sense of scale. The Aberdeenshire landscape just rolls on forever, and it's the kind of spot where you actually feel like you've earned a breather and a flask of tea. The summit itself isn't dramatic - no dramatic rocky peak - but that's rather the point. This is proper walking country, not a tourist trap.

You'll want to allow a good two hours for the ascent and descent, depending on fitness. Waterproof boots are essential; the ground underfoot can be soft and squelchy, especially after rain. Early morning or late afternoon light makes the walk far more interesting than midday trudging.

Forres is your nearest base, about 20 minutes' drive away. If you're camping nearby at ACE Adventures & Hideaways, this is an excellent half-day excursion that'll tire the kids out properly. It's the sort of walk that rewards you not with famous views you've seen in a hundred photographs, but with the satisfaction of having seen something real.