Newton Hill

The walk up Newton Hill takes you above Huntly with views that stretch across Aberdeenshire's rolling farmland - proper rewarding for the effort involved. It's not a lung-busting climb, more of a steady tramp through countryside that gets better the higher you go.

What you're after here is the panorama from the top. On a clear day, you can see right across the Highlands, which makes the 20-minute slog from the car park feel entirely worthwhile. The peak itself is modest - you won't find a trig point or café - but the walk is straightforward enough that families with reasonably fit kids won't struggle.

Allow an hour return if you're taking photos and enjoying the views without rushing. The paths are generally well-maintained, though muddy patches appear after rain. Bring proper walking boots; trainers will leave your feet damp and annoyed.

This works brilliantly as part of a broader Huntly visit rather than a standalone day out. The town itself has Huntly Castle just down the road if you want something more structured afterwards. If you're based at Huntly Castle Holiday Park, Newton Hill is close enough for a morning walk before lunch - the 4.5-mile distance makes it an easy run.

Go early if you can. The light's better and you'll beat the school groups. Winter can make it slippery, so autumn and spring tend to be your sweet spot. Free to access, naturally - this is Scotland.