Tom 'a Chatha

The climb up Tom 'a Chatha starts innocuously enough from the car park near Ballater, but don't let the modest opening fool you. This is proper Highland terrain - rocky underfoot, bracken pressing in from both sides, and the kind of exposure that makes you respect the mountain even if it's not technically difficult. The summit sits at 1,427 metres, offering views across the Cairngorms that shift entirely depending on the weather. On a clear day, you're looking out towards Lochnagar; on a grey one, you're wrapped in cloud wondering why you bothered. Both are worth experiencing, frankly.

It takes around three hours to bag it, give or take, so factor that into your day. The path itself is well-trodden but steep in places - not a casual family stroll, but nothing that demands mountaineering experience either. Walkers with reasonable fitness will manage it comfortably. Those after a proper Highland walk without the scrambling faff should add this to their list.

Staying at Howe of Torbeg or Cairngorms Glamping & Campsite puts you within striking distance, making it an obvious choice if you're basing yourself around Ballater. It's one of several worthwhile peaks in the area, so combine it with other routes rather than treating it as a standalone. The real value lies in its positioning - close enough to civilisation that you're not spending your whole day travelling, but far enough into the hills that you actually feel like you've escaped.