Shaw Hill

The walk up Shaw Hill takes about forty minutes from Inverurie, and it's worth every muddy step. You're looking at a modest peak by Highland standards - nothing that requires special kit - but the views across Aberdeenshire sprawl out properly once you're up there. On a clear day you can see right across the Don Valley, which beats staring at the caravan park all afternoon.

It's the sort of hill that works for families who've had enough of being cooped up, or walkers after a quick leg-stretcher rather than a full day's graft. The path is reasonably well-marked, though it does get boggy in places - bring decent boots. Allow two hours return if you're not rushed, stopping to catch your breath at the top.

The real pull here is that it's genuinely local. You won't find crowds, and the effort-to-reward ratio is decent. If you're staying at Hillhead Caravan Park just down the road, this beats wandering round the facilities for the tenth time. It's free, obviously - just rock up and walk. The moorland scenery has that raw Scottish feel without needing to drive into the Cairngorms.

Best visited in late spring or early autumn when the midges aren't absolutely manic. Summer can be grim for biting insects if the weather's damp. Winter's fine if you don't mind a slog through bracken and heather.