Kiltree Knock

The walk up Kiltree Knock rewards you with proper Highland views across Aberdeenshire, and it's the sort of peak that won't take your whole day. From Banff, it's a straightforward hike that gets you above the rolling farmland and into something that actually feels like a mountain, even if the elevation isn't massive.

What you're doing here is a decent hill walk - nothing technical, but it demands a bit of effort and gives you genuine views back towards the coast and inland across the Grampians. The ground underfoot varies, and you'll want boots rather than trainers. Allow a couple of hours up and down if you're not rushing, longer if you fancy lingering at the top.

This works brilliantly for families who want a proper walk without the commitment of something like Ben Nevis. Walkers based at one of the caravan parks around Banff - Banff Links is closest at 5 miles, or Whitehills if you're staying there - can knock this out in a morning and still have time for a coastal wander or a pint in town. Turriff Caravan Park is slightly further out at 5.8 miles but still within easy reach.

Go on a clear day. Mist rolls in quickly in the Highlands, and you'll lose everything that makes this worth the walk. There's no visitor facilities on the peak itself, so pack a flask and something to eat. It's free to access, naturally - it's a Scottish hillside.