Slai na Gour

The walk up Slai na Gour rewards you with proper Highland views that justify the climb. It's not a tough peak - nothing like Ben Nevis madness - but you'll earn the panorama across Aberdeenshire's rolling landscape. The ascent is straightforward enough for reasonably fit walkers, though the Scottish weather can turn on a sixpence, so check conditions before you head out from Aboyne.

This is genuinely a walker's hill rather than a casual stroll. Most people allow two to three hours there and back, depending on fitness and how long you linger at the summit. There's something satisfying about standing at the top knowing you've walked it rather than driven to a car park viewpoint. The views stretch across Deeside and beyond - on clear days it's the kind of spot where you understand why people move to Scotland and stay.

If you're based at Firbank Park or Ballater Caravan Park - both excellent sites nearby - this works brilliantly as a half-day outing. It's the sort of walk that leaves you ready for a proper pub dinner afterwards rather than completely flattened. The route isn't heavily signed, so bring a map or download offline maps on your phone. Summer's obviously the easier option, but winter walks here have their own stark beauty if you're experienced.

Families with older kids will manage fine. Younger children might find the distance dull. It's not dramatic or fortress-like - just a proper hill with a cracking view at the end.