Mire of Midgates

The Mire of Midgates sits on high moorland between Clatt and the rolling hills of Aberdeenshire - it's one of those Scottish uplands that doesn't announce itself loudly but rewards anyone willing to make the effort. Getting up there involves a proper walk across open ground, and honestly, the views across the Dee Valley on a clear day justify the slog. You're looking at genuine Cairngorms foothills country here, moorland that stretches for miles without a fence in sight.

Walkers will get the most out of this one. It's not a casual stroll - you need decent legs and reasonable weather. The peat-bog terrain can be boggy (hence the name), so waterproof boots aren't optional. Allow a good two hours minimum to get up and back down, longer if you're taking photos or actually want to breathe at the summit.

The main appeal is solitude. You won't find crowds. It's the kind of place locals know and tourists overlook, which is precisely why it's worth the trek. The views are proper Highlands without the postcard hysteria of somewhere like Ben Nevis. On a misty day it's atmospheric; on a clear one it's genuinely striking.

Clatt is tiny - you're looking at a farm shop and not much else - so base yourself at Haughton Holiday Park a few miles away and use it as your launch point for this walk. It's one of those peaks that separates people who want a walk from people who want a walk.