Little Mulderie

The walk up Little Mulderie rewards you with views across Speyside that make the climb feel properly worthwhile. It's not a savage ascent - more of a steady plod through moorland with the kind of wide-open vistas that remind you why people bother with Scottish hills in the first place.

You're looking at around two hours there and back from Keith, depending on fitness and how often you stop for photos. The summit itself is modest - not dramatic, just a decent viewpoint where you can pick out the distant Cairngorms on a clear day. On a grey one, which is frequently, it's still pleasant enough if you've got the right kit and don't mind the wind.

This suits hill-walkers after something unpretentious rather than trophy-baggers after a Munro. Families with older kids will manage it fine; younger ones might find the moorland a bit samey. Bring decent boots and don't underestimate Scottish weather.

If you're based at Cairnty Lodges or Hillhead Hideaways - both just a couple of miles away - Little Mulderie works well as a morning outing before you settle into one of those hot tubs. The proximity is genuinely handy. It's the sort of hill that doesn't demand a full day commitment but gives you proper air and space without needing to drive north into the bigger mountains.