Kirkenie Hill

The walk up Kirkenie Hill from Banchory is straightforward enough - nothing too technical, just a steady climb through moorland that opens up properly once you're above the tree line. The summit sits at a reasonable height without demanding scrambling skills, which makes it accessible for most hill walkers rather than just the hardcore types.

Views across Aberdeenshire are the main draw here. On a clear day you can pick out the Dee Valley stretching away below, and the ridge lines of the Cairngorms looming larger to the west. It's not a dramatic peak - you won't find yourself gasping at Skye-style landscapes - but it's solid walking country with proper Highland air and fewer people than you'd find on the better-known summits.

Allow two to three hours for the round trip from Banchory, depending on fitness. The terrain is rougher underfoot in places, so decent boots matter. Families with older kids will manage fine; younger ones might struggle with the distance. Late spring through early autumn offers the best conditions, though it's walkable most of the year if you don't mind wet ground.

Stay at Aboyne Loch Caravan Park or Banchory Lodge if you're basing yourself here - both are solid choices within a few miles. Kirkenie Hill works well as a morning walk before exploring the Dee Valley proper, or as a warm-up for tackling bigger peaks further west. It's useful rather than spectacular, but that doesn't make it a waste of time.