Tom na Gabhar

At 807 metres, Tom na Gabhar isn't the kind of mountain that'll exhaust you, but it's got proper views across upper Deeside that make the climb worthwhile. The walk from near Strathdon takes you through moorland and up a fairly steady slope - nothing technical, just the sort of thing that feels like actual work without being punishing. Most people manage it in a couple of hours up and down, depending on fitness and how often you stop to look at the landscape falling away towards the south.

This is hill walking rather than fell running, so it suits families with older kids and anyone after a decent morning out without committing to a full day's mountaineering. The summit itself is marked clearly, and the views west towards Cairngorms are excellent on a clear day - you get a real sense of how much empty, rolling terrain there is up here. Weather moves fast though, so go early and bring layers.

It's free, naturally. Allow three hours total for a comfortable pace. The nearest decent base is Strathdon itself, though Cairngorms Glamping & Campsite just down the way at under three miles offers proper comfortable accommodation if you're making a weekend of it. Pair this with other Cairngorms walks - there's no shortage of them - and you've got a solid few days. Winter can make it dodgy underfoot, so spring through autumn is your window.