Little Conval

Little Conval sits just outside Keith in Aberdeenshire, a modest peak that punches above its weight for effort-to-reward ratio. The climb itself is straightforward - nothing technical, nothing that demands full kit - but it delivers proper Highland views without the slog of Ben Macdui or Cairngorm. On a clear day you're looking across rolling moorland that shifts between purple heather and sage-green peat bog, with glimpses of distant summits if you're lucky with the weather.

Walkers will crack this in a couple of hours return, making it ideal if you've only got an afternoon spare or you're camping nearby at Hillside Havens - a top-rated spot just over a mile away. The terrain is boggy in places, particularly after rain, so proper boots matter more than you'd think. Kids aged eight upwards could manage it without too much fuss, though younger ones might find the return leg tedious.

The peak itself is fairly bare - you won't find a trig point or shelter, just grass and sky. That's actually part of its charm. There's something refreshing about a hill that doesn't need Instagram setup or a café at the summit to justify the visit. It's honest hiking. Head up in the golden hour of late afternoon and you'll have the place to yourself, which in peak season is worth its weight in gold. Free to access, naturally. Allow three hours if you're not rushing.