Hill of Gothie

The walk up Hill of Gothie rewards you with proper Highland views across Aberdeenshire's rolling landscape. It's a straightforward hill rather than a technical climb - the sort of thing you can do in trainers if you're confident on rough ground, though walking boots won't hurt. Allow a couple of hours return from the car park, depending on your pace and how long you linger at the top.

What makes it worthwhile is the perspective you get over the Dee Valley. On a clear day - and you'll need clear to make the journey justified - you can see far enough to make the effort feel worth it. The path itself is well-trodden but exposed in places, so it can be boggy underfoot after rain. If you're staying at Glen Dye Cabins nearby, this sits perfectly as a half-day outing that doesn't demand a full day's commitment.

It's ideal for walkers who've done a few hills already rather than first-timers to hiking. Children will find it manageable if they're used to tramping about, but there's not much to do at the summit besides have lunch and admire the view - no ruins, no lochs, just moorland and distance. In decent weather it's absolutely fine; in cloud and drizzle, you're just trudging uphill to see nothing.

Head to Banchory for supplies before you go. The hill is free to walk, as these things tend to be in Scotland, though you'll pay to park if there's a designated car park. Best attempted in spring through early autumn when the ground's least boggy.