Satter Hill

The walk up Satter Hill rewards you with one of those views that makes you forget to complain about the climb. It's a proper hill rather than a mountain - around 300 metres or so - which means you're not looking at a full day's expedition from Leslie, yet you get genuine height and perspective over the surrounding Aberdeenshire landscape.

On a clear day, the vistas stretch across rolling farmland and moorland to the Cairngorms in the distance. The summit itself is fairly exposed, so wind can be a factor, but that's part of the appeal - no sheltering trees means you get the full panorama. Most people manage the ascent in under an hour, though you'll want longer if you're going to actually sit and take it in rather than just tick it off.

This is walker territory, full stop. It's not a pushchair-friendly route, and if your legs are used to flat ground, the final stretch gets a bit steep. But for families with decent hillwalking experience or anyone after some proper exercise without committing to a full day in the hills, it works brilliantly.

If you're based at Haughton Holiday Park just 3.5 miles away, it's an ideal half-day diversion. You could easily combine it with exploring the quieter corners of the local countryside - Leslie sits in some genuinely nice walking country, and Satter Hill gives you a chance to see the lay of the land before planning your next venture.