Carden Den

You'll find Carden Den just outside Kinross, a proper little woodland ravine that punches above its weight for the effort required to get there. It's a gorge carved by water over centuries, with steep banks, a burn running through the bottom, and enough greenery to make you forget you're in central Scotland for a bit. The walk down is manageable but requires a degree of care - it's not a stroll, more a genuine scramble in places, which is exactly why it doesn't get rammed with tourists.

This is best suited to families with kids aged eight upwards who don't mind getting a bit muddy, and to walkers after something with genuine character rather than a manicured path. The geology nerds will enjoy spotting the red sandstone formations that give the ravine its drama. Allow a solid hour to make the descent, potter about the bottom, and climb back out without rushing.

There's no visitor infrastructure here - no café, no toilet block, no interpretive boards - which is either a blessing or a nuisance depending on your tolerance for rougher ground. Admission appears to be free, though you should check locally in Kinross first.

If you're staying at one of the caravan parks nearby - Pettycur Bay, Kinghorn Harbour, Sandhills, or the glamping at Wild Goose - Carden Den makes for a proper half-day excursion. It's quirky enough to break up a park-based holiday, and close enough that you won't spend all afternoon driving. Go when the weather's been dry; after heavy rain it becomes significantly more treacherous.