Hill of Keir

The walk up Hill of Keir rewards you with views across Aberdeenshire that stretch for miles on a clear day. It's not one of those mountains that demands crampons and a dawn start - the ascent is manageable and the path, while occasionally rough underfoot, takes roughly an hour to the summit depending on fitness.

You get proper 360-degree views from the top: countryside rolling away in all directions, and on a decent day you can see right across the region. The appeal is straightforward - it's a proper hill walk without the commitment of the higher peaks. Families with older kids who've done a few rambles will find it satisfying. Younger children might struggle with the steeper sections, though determined parents manage it.

The closest settlement is Hillhead of Carnie, which sits just a few miles south. Both Deeside Holiday Park and Hillhead Caravan Park are within easy reach if you're basing yourself in the area for a few days - roughly five miles away, which means you can knock this walk out as an afternoon outing without too much faff.

Timing-wise, allow two to three hours for a leisurely round trip including summit time. Weather matters here - cloud can roll in quickly and spoil the views, so aim for a settled spell rather than pushing it in dodgy conditions. The walk is free and you can go whenever suits, though the ground can be boggy after heavy rain. It's the sort of hill that locals know well, which means it rarely gets crowded even at weekends.