Old Fir Hill

The walk up Old Fir Hill takes you above Buckie and the Moray coast with proper views across the Firth. It's not a scramble - just a straightforward hill walk that clears your head in under an hour if you're moving at a decent pace. The summit itself is modest, no trig point drama, but the sight of the coastline spreading out below makes the effort worthwhile.

This is genuinely good for families who want a genuine hill experience without the commitment of Ben Rinnes or anything serious. Kids cope fine with it. The descent is easier on the knees than it looks, and there's a real sense of achievement at the top - that matters to younger walkers more than people realise. Older heads will appreciate the relatively short time needed and the fact you're not queuing with dozens of others.

Go midweek if you can, and avoid when the cloud sits low over the Highlands - there's nothing to see then. Allow two hours if you're taking it easy or stopping for photos. The Greencraig Pods site is only 2.7 miles away if you're basing yourself in the area, which makes it convenient for a morning sortie before settling in elsewhere. Hillhead Hideaways sits at 3.8 miles, equally handy. Both work as launch points for this walk without feeling like you're driving half an hour to get started. Free to walk, obviously, and accessible year-round - though winter can be boggy lower down.