Redstone Hill

The walk up Redstone Hill from Banchory is a proper little earner if you want something that doesn't demand a full day's commitment. It's a modest peak, not dramatic, but it gives you genuine views across Aberdeenshire without the slog of the bigger Cairngorm routes. The summit itself is reached through mixed woodland and open moorland - the transition from trees to heather is always satisfying. On a clear day you get sight lines across the Dee Valley that make the climb feel worthwhile.

You're looking at around an hour and a half there and back from town, so it's ideal for families with younger kids or anyone who wants a bracing walk without serious elevation gain. The path is reasonably well-maintained, though it can be boggy in patches after rain - nothing treacherous, just standard Scottish hillside conditions. History enthusiasts won't find much at the summit itself, but the area around Banchory has genuine character if you want to poke about before or after.

If you're staying at Glen Dye Cabins or Royal Arch Riverside Park nearby, this is a cracking spot for a morning walk before settling in for a quieter afternoon. It's the kind of thing that breaks up a park holiday nicely without becoming an expedition. The main thing to know is that there's no visitor facility at the top - just the hill, the views, and whatever weather the Highlands decide to throw at you. Go early if you want any chance of clear skies.