Longside Hill

The walk up Longside Hill from Banchory takes you into proper granite country. It's not a massive climb - under 2,000 feet - but the views across Aberdeenshire justify every step, especially on a clear day when you can see right across the Dee Valley. The path itself is straightforward enough, though it can be boggy lower down so decent boots matter.

You're looking at around two hours there and back if you're not dawdling. Walkers will get the most from this one - it's not a family picnic spot, and there's nothing to "do" once you're up there except sit, look, and appreciate the Scottish landscape doing what it does best. The summit gives you that satisfying moment where the effort actually pays off, not just a view of more of the same.

Families with older kids who don't mind a proper walk could manage it fine, but younger ones might find it a bit of a slog for not much payoff at the top. If the weather's turning, you'll know it on Longside - it's exposed once you get higher.

Done this as part of a longer stay in the area? Glen Dye Cabins sits just down the road and makes a solid base - that 4.7 rating isn't accidental. Royal Arch Riverside over in Banchory proper is also well-placed if you want a bit more infrastructure. Either way, Longside Hill slots nicely into a week of Aberdeenshire rambling without eating your whole day.