Crombie

The reservoir at Crombie is a proper spot for getting away from it all without needing to trek into the wilds. Sit on the banks near Forfar and you'll see why locals keep coming back - water reflecting hills, the occasional heron, and enough peace to remember why you came to Aberdeenshire in the first place.

It's not a dramatic landscape. The reserve won't knock you sideways like some Scottish Highland views do. But that's rather the point. Birdwatchers will find it genuinely rewarding, especially on migration periods when you can clock species most people never see. Families with younger kids will get an hour or so from the walking paths, though don't expect amusement parks worth of excitement - it's quiet, contemplative stuff.

The walk around the water is manageable for most fitness levels, though it can be boggy after rain. Bring proper boots. There's a certain meditative quality to it, the kind of place where your shoulders drop a bit and you stop checking your phone.

If you're staying at Greenhillock Glamping nearby, Crombie makes a solid morning or late afternoon addition to a broader Aberdeenshire itinerary. It pairs well with exploring the wider countryside rather than being a full-day destination in itself. Go for the birdlife and the quiet, not for Instagram moments. You'll leave feeling like you've actually been somewhere proper.