Whitelaws

The walk up to Whitelaws from Banchory is straightforward enough, though the summit itself doesn't deliver the dramatic payoff you might expect from Scottish hill walking. It's a modest peak in Aberdeenshire - nothing that'll leave you breathless or reaching for the camera constantly. That said, the routes through Glen Dye are pleasant enough, with decent woodland cover on the lower sections and reasonable views across the Dee valley if the weather plays ball.

For families with older kids and regular walkers, this works as part of a longer outing rather than a standalone trip. Don't expect Cairngorms-level drama. The real value here is the quiet - you won't be jostling for space at the trig point, and that's increasingly rare in accessible Scottish walking. Allow a couple of hours round trip from the glen, depending on your pace and how long you want to linger at the top.

If you're staying at Glen Dye Cabins and Cottages - which sits just a few miles away and comes well-reviewed - Whitelaws makes a natural half-day excursion. It's the sort of walk that justifies a morning out without consuming your whole day, leaving time for a pub lunch in Banchory afterwards. The woodland makes it workable even if the weather's a bit dreich, which in these parts, it often is. Honestly, it's fine rather than essential, but it fills a gap nicely in a Scottish holiday.