Knockie

Knockie is a proper hill walk rather than a technical peak - the sort of outing that rewards you with wide-open Deeside views without demanding mountaineering skills. Rising to 470 metres, it's the kind of walk that takes most people between two and three hours up and back, depending on pace and how often you stop to catch your breath on the steeper sections.

The approach from Aboyne is straightforward enough. You're looking at moorland terrain, some bracken, and paths that can be boggy after rain - so waterproof boots aren't optional. What makes it worthwhile is the outlook once you're up there. The Cairngorms sit properly to the west, and on a clear day the visibility stretches for miles. It's not dramatic, but it's solid.

This walk suits hillwalkers after something quick and unfussy, and families with older kids who can handle a couple of hours on their feet. Younger children might find it a bit relentless without much variation in scenery halfway through. The nearest town of Aboyne has all the usual services, and staying at Firbank Park or Aboyne Loch Caravan Park puts you within spitting distance for an early start.

Go midweek if you can. Weekends bring every hill-bagger within an hour's drive, which rather defeats the purpose of a quiet walk. Free to access, naturally - just park responsibly and don't leave a trace.