Tor Sliasg

The walk up Tor Sliasg rewards you with proper Highland views that most people round Keith never bother to climb for. It's not a mountain that'll take your breath away on approach - nothing dramatic about the approach from the road - but once you're up there, the Aberdeenshire landscape spreads out in a way that makes the short hike feel worthwhile.

You're looking at an hour or so of steady walking, nothing technical, though the path can be boggy depending on when you visit. The summit gives you that classic Scottish experience: wide views across moorland and distant hills, and on a clear day you can properly see where you are in relation to the surrounding country. Hillwalkers and anyone after an afternoon out will find it genuinely pleasant rather than punishing.

It's free to walk, and there's no visitor infrastructure to speak of - no cafe, no facilities, just the hill and the weather. Families with older kids will manage fine; younger ones might find it dull if the cloud's down. The real value is that it sits nicely within a wider park holiday in the area. Stay at Hillhead Hideaways or Greencraig Pods - both minutes away - and you've got this plus the broader walking country around Keith within easy reach.

Go when the ground's firm if you can. Summer's your safest bet, though the midges can be relentless. A winter ascent would be bleak and potentially dodgy underfoot. Worth doing while you're in the area? Yes. Worth planning a trip round? Only if you're already keen on Scottish hill walking.