Mid Hill

The walk up Mid Hill rewards you with proper Highland views that justify the leg work from Banchory. It's not a monster of a peak - you're looking at around 400 metres of elevation - but the path can be boggy and steep in places, so decent boots are non-negotiable.

What you get at the top is the thing. On a clear day, the Cairngorms roll out in front of you, and you can pick out the Don Valley winding below. The actual summit is a quiet spot, no tarmac or tourist trap nonsense, just grassland and space. Most people reckon two to three hours return from the base works well, depending on fitness and how many times you stop to catch your breath.

This is genuinely good for walkers who aren't after a full day's graft but want to feel like they've earned something. Families with older kids would manage it fine; younger ones might find the mud tiresome. History buffs won't find much up there - it's the landscape that speaks.

If you're staying at Glen Dye Cabins or Banchory Lodge Caravan Park, this works as a solid half-day excursion. Pair it with a walk round Banchory itself or head towards the Cairngorms for a longer weekend. The bog can be dodgy in wet weather, so spring or autumn are your best bets - summer can mean midges, which is its own special torture.

Free to access, no fees, no faffing about. Just turn up with proper kit.