Red Hill

Red Hill lives up to its name - the hillside genuinely glows rust-orange when the light hits it right, especially in late afternoon. It's a modest peak by Scottish standards, sitting above Kirkton of Tough in Aberdeenshire, but the distinctive geology makes it worth the trip if you're already in the area.

The walk itself is straightforward enough for families with older kids, though it can be boggy underfoot depending on rainfall. You're looking at roughly an hour up and back, maybe 90 minutes if you potter about at the top. The views across Deeside aren't exactly breathtaking - this is working farmland and forestry, not Cairngorms drama - but there's something appealing about the ordinariness of it all.

Historically it's been used as a landmark for centuries, which explains why locals bothered to name it rather than just call it "that hill". On a clear day you can pick out quite a bit of the surrounding countryside, which makes it decent for orientation rather than spectacle.

If you're based at Haughton Holiday Park, which sits just five miles away with decent reviews, Red Hill makes a straightforward half-day outing. Don't expect crowds or facilities - there's no café, no car park signage, just a hill that happens to be red. It's the sort of walk you do because the weather's nice and you fancy a stretch, not because guidebooks insist it's essential. That's rather its charm.