Meikle Balloch Hill

Meikle Balloch Hill isn't the sort of walk that'll take your breath away with famous views, but it's a solid two-hour outing from Keith that rewards you with proper Highland scenery once you're up there. The summit sits at 658 metres and gives you long views across Aberdeenshire's rolling terrain - moorland stretching out in all directions, and on a clear day you can pick out the distant peaks. The approach is straightforward enough: moorland paths with decent underfoot conditions most of the time, though it can get boggy after rain. It's the kind of walk that feels like you've earned a bit of peace and quiet without needing mountaineering experience.

Walkers will get the most from this one. It's not a family picnic spot - the terrain demands decent boots and a reasonable level of fitness - but it's nothing that puts off regular hikers. Allow three hours if you're taking it steady with stops for photos. There's no cafe at the top, so bring a flask and a snack.

The real selling point is that it slots neatly into a Highland holiday without demanding a full day's commitment. If you're staying at Hillhead Hideaways just down the road, this works as a morning walk before heading somewhere else. Spring and early autumn are best - midges can be grim in July and August, and winter brings proper mountain conditions that need respect. Free to access, obviously. It won't blow your mind, but it's a proper hill walk that does exactly what it says on the tin.