Kirktown Hill

The walk up Kirktown Hill rewards you with proper views across Aberdeenshire's rolling farmland and, on a clear day, all the way to the coast near Fraserburgh. It's not a major peak - nothing that'll leave you gasping - but that's rather the point. The climb takes about forty minutes from the car, and you'll find yourself standing amongst heather and rough grass with surprisingly few other people about.

This is a walkers' hill rather than a sightseeing attraction in the traditional sense. There's no visitor centre, no café, no interpretation boards. Just you, the wind, and views that stretch for miles. Families with younger kids might find it a bit tame after an hour, though the scramble up the final sections keeps things interesting enough. History enthusiasts will appreciate the old kirk remains dotted about - the name didn't appear by accident.

Go on a weekday morning if you can; weekends draw the local hiking crowd. Bring decent boots - the ground can be boggy in places - and check the weather beforehand because cloud cover turns the experience from cracking to forgettable in minutes.

If you're staying at Down On The Farm holiday park nearby, Kirktown Hill makes an excellent half-day outing that doesn't demand a long drive. It slots neatly into an Aberdeenshire walking holiday without feeling like a tourist tick-box.