Tom Odhar

The walk up Tom Odhar rewards you with views that justify the climb - provided you pick a decent day. This 934-metre peak sits just south of Ballater in the Cairngorms foothills, and it's one of those Scottish hills that feels properly wild without needing mountaineering skills.

The ascent takes a couple of hours, depending on fitness. You'll push through heather and scrub, with the landscape opening up as you climb higher. On a clear day, the views south towards Lochnagar and west into the Cairngorms justify the effort entirely. When mist rolls in - which it does often enough here - you're basically walking blind, so timing matters.

This works best for walkers with some experience rather than casual strollers. Children who enjoy hiking will be fine, though it's steep enough that younger legs might flag. The peak itself is windswept and exposed, so proper kit is essential even when the forecast looks reasonable.

Start early and allow three to four hours return. There's no marked path all the way, so a map and decent navigation sense help. The nearest town is Ballater, where you can grab supplies, though frankly anywhere in the Cairngorms demands respect for weather and conditions.

If you're staying at Howe of Torbeg or another nearby holiday park, Tom Odhar slots well into a week of hillwalking. It's not as dramatic as some Cairngorms peaks, but that's partly why it gets fewer crowds. Go on a proper clear day and you'll understand why people keep coming back.