Suie Hill

The walk up Suie Hill takes about an hour from Tullynessle, and honestly, it's worth clearing your diary for. The summit sits at 1,142 feet - high enough to feel properly energetic without requiring technical gear or an early start. What makes it special is the Deeside outlook. Clear days give you the Cairngorms to the west and views across Aberdeenshire that stretch for miles. Bring a decent map though; the route isn't signposted all the way.

This is a walker's hill rather than a casual stroll. The path gets boggy in places, especially after rain, so proper boots matter. Kids aged eight-plus who've done a few hills before will manage fine. Younger ones might struggle with the time and effort required. Allow two hours return if you're not rushing, longer if you want to sit at the top with a flask.

Suie Hill works brilliantly as part of a wider Deeside exploration. Base yourself at Haughton Holiday Park - it's well-positioned for tackling a few of the local summits - and use this as your warm-up walk. The park itself sits four miles away, giving you easy access without feeling remote. Spring and early summer are best; the hill can feel bleak in winter, and midges get fierce in late July.

Free to visit, though you'll need to park sensibly near Tullynessle and cross farmland to reach the proper path. Chat with locals before you go - farmers are generally fine with walkers, but courtesy counts.