Hill of Stonyslacks

The walk up Hill of Stonyslacks isn't long, but it's proper steep. From Buckie on the Moray coast, you're looking at a straightforward hike that rewards you with views across the Moray Firth and inland towards the Highlands - the sort of panorama that makes sense of why you've climbed it. The peak itself is nothing dramatic, just moorland and rough grass, but the approach is decent enough and the visibility on a clear day reaches for miles.

Walkers will get the most from this one. It's not a casual family stroll, though determined kids with decent stamina could manage it. Allow a couple of hours return if you're taking it steady, less if you're quick-legged. Bring waterproofs regardless of the forecast - this is Scotland.

What works best is pairing it with a stay at one of the caravan parks nearby. Greencraig Pods, just two miles away, is well-equipped if you want proper facilities, while Hillhead Hideaways offers something more low-key if that appeals. Both give you a base to explore the Moray coast properly rather than just bagging the hill and leaving.

The landscape around Buckie is worth lingering in - agricultural and windswept rather than dramatic, but honest. Stonyslacks fits into that honestly. It's not going to blow your mind, but it's a solid hill walk with genuine views and none of the tourist machine you'd find elsewhere in the Highlands.