Paul Matthew Hill

The walk up Paul Matthew Hill rewards you with surprisingly generous views across Aberdeenshire's rolling farmland towards the coast near Montrose. It's not a dramatic summit - nothing like Ben Nevis - but that's rather the point. The climb is manageable, taking most people less than an hour, and the moorland terrain underfoot is firm enough even after rain.

What makes it worth your time is the perspective you get over the Mearns. On a clear day you can pick out the North Sea glinting in the distance, and the agricultural patchwork below has a calming rhythm to it. Local walkers know it well, but you won't find crowds queuing at the start.

It suits anyone who wants proper hill walking without the technical bit - families with older children will manage it fine, and it's the kind of walk you can do without specialist kit. Allow an hour and a half if you're taking your time, less if you're sharp. Go early on a weekday if you want the hill mostly to yourself.

If you're staying at St Cyrus Holiday Park near Montrose, Paul Matthew Hill makes a cracking half-day excursion. The park itself sits close to the coast, so you could easily combine a morning walk here with an afternoon on the beach or exploring Montrose's small harbour. It's that kind of useful local addition to a proper Scottish break - not the main event, but the sort of thing that fills out a day nicely.