Waukmill Hill

The walk up Waukmill Hill rewards you with proper Highland views that stretch across Aberdeenshire's rolling farmland. It's not a dramatic peak - nothing like the Cairngorms - but that's rather the point. From the summit you can pick out Auchleven below and the patchwork of fields rolling toward the distant mountains.

The climb itself takes the best part of an hour from the village and sits somewhere between a serious hike and a decent stroll. Families with older children will manage it fine, though younger ones might grumble on the way up. The path is straightforward enough, though muddy after rain. Worth doing on a clear day when you can actually see something from the top.

This works well as a morning walk if you're staying at Haughton Holiday Park, just five miles away. Pair it with exploring Auchleven itself - a proper working village rather than a tourist trap - and you've got a solid half-day out. The park's got decent facilities and it's close enough to Aberdeenshire's other attractions without being plonked in the middle of the scenery rush.

No facilities at the summit, so pack water and a snack. The view's best in the afternoon light when the sun picks out the landscape. Come on a settled day in spring or autumn and you'll understand why locals bother with it. Fair warning: the summit's a bit exposed to wind, so layer up.