Hill of Towie

The walk up Hill of Towie isn't long, but it's steep enough that you'll feel you've earned the view. This 541-metre peak sits just outside Keith in Aberdeenshire, and on a clear day the outlook across the Highlands is genuinely excellent - rolling moorland stretching away in every direction, with the Cairngorms visible on the horizon if you're lucky with the weather.

It's a proper peak-bagging spot rather than a gentle stroll. You're looking at about an hour round trip from the car, depending on your fitness and how many photos you take. The path is clear enough, though it gets boggy in places, so decent boots are essential. There's no visitor centre or cafe at the top, which is fine - you get a real sense of being out in proper hill country rather than visiting an attraction.

This works brilliantly if you're staying at Cairnty Lodges or Hillhead Hideaways nearby. Both are excellent bases if you're mixing countryside walks with a bit of comfort - especially Cairnty with their hot tubs, which your legs will thank you for after a few days of hill walking. It's worth doing early morning if you can, when the light is clean and you'll likely have the summit to yourself.

Not for small children or anyone after a casual wander, but if you actually want to walk somewhere and get a proper Highland landscape view, Hill of Towie delivers.