Lumphart Hill

The walk up Lumphart Hill catches most people off guard - it's steeper than the height suggests, and the final push to the summit involves proper scrambling over granite. But that's exactly why it's worth doing. From the top, you get panoramic views across Aberdeenshire that stretch all the way to the Cairngorms on a clear day, with Inverurie sitting below like a toy town. The whole thing takes about two hours from the car park, and there's a decent path most of the way, though it gets boggy after rain.

This is proper walking territory, not a casual stroll. Families with older kids will manage fine if they're used to hills; younger ones might find the scramble at the end frustrating. It's the kind of place that rewards you for the effort - there's something satisfying about reaching a peak that isn't famous enough to be mobbed. Go midweek if you can, and aim for late afternoon when the light gets that golden quality and half the day-trippers have cleared off.

If you're staying at Glamping Bothie nearby, it's an excellent morning mission before heading back for lunch. The hill itself is free and there's parking at the base. Pick a day with decent visibility - climbing into cloud is miserable, and you'll miss the whole point of coming up here.