Meikle Conval

The walk up Meikle Conval is exactly the sort of Scottish hill that surprises you - nothing too dramatic from the car park, but the views repay the effort once you're above 2,000 feet. It's a proper Aberdeenshire hill, the kind where you'll see red grouse and maybe a golden eagle if you're lucky, and the granite peaks around you look properly wild despite being only a short drive from Keith.

Allow three to four hours for the round trip, depending on fitness. The ascent is straightforward rather than technical - steep in places, sure, but no scrambling involved. On a clear day the Cairngorms dominate the view, and you can pick out individual peaks across the Highlands. Summer and early autumn are your best bets, though even in winter it's manageable if the wind isn't too fierce.

This is walker territory, not a casual stroll. Families with older children who've done a few hills already will get on fine; younger kids might find the height and exposure a bit much. History types won't find much here beyond the landscape itself - it's geology and weather, essentially, though there's something timeless about standing on this granite watching the clouds roll in.

If you're based at Hillside Havens nearby, you're well placed for a day on the hills. Meikle Conval works perfectly as part of a longer day hitting multiple peaks in the area, or as a standalone walk if the weather looks promising. Free, obviously - just park responsibly and go early on weekends.