Hill of Logie

The walk up Hill of Logie near Ellon takes about forty minutes if you're moving at a steady pace, and the views across Aberdeenshire justify every step. It's not a dramatic mountain - more of a proper hill with bracken and moorland underfoot - but from the top you get a genuine sense of the rolling landscape that makes this part of the Highlands worth visiting.

The summit itself is modest, nothing like Ben Nevis theatrics, but the 360-degree views are what sell it. On a clear day you can see right across the valley, and the walk gives you a real flavour of how the land sits here. Families with older kids will manage it fine - younger ones might find it a slog. History buffs won't get much from the site itself, but walkers after something straightforward without needing technical gear will appreciate it.

Timing matters. Go early if you're visiting in summer; the car park fills up with other hikers and it loses its peace. Autumn is cracking, when the light sits just right across those slopes. Free to access, no facilities at the top, so bring water.

If you're based at Ythan Valley Campsite nearby, this works well as a morning walk before exploring the rest of the area. It's close enough that you won't spend half your day driving, but far enough away that you feel you've actually gone somewhere. Not a headline attraction, but a solid, no-fuss hill walk that delivers on the promise.