Den of Stone of Benholm Plantation

You'll need to hunt a bit to find this one - the Den of Stone at Benholm Plantation isn't signposted like a theme park, and that's rather the point. It's a wooded ravine tucked into Aberdeenshire countryside near Montrose, where a burn cuts through sandstone and you walk among proper old-growth woodland with rock outcrops looming either side. The walk itself is what you're after here, not a destination building or visitor centre.

It's genuinely good for anyone who fancies a proper forest ramble without the crowds. The ravine setting means interesting geology - those sandstone faces are worth a look if you're into that sort of thing. Kids will find the burn crossings and rock scrambling engaging for an hour or so, though it's not a playground. Serious walkers will appreciate the route's integration into the wider Benholm trails.

There's no admission charge because it's open access land, which is how these spaces should work. Allow a couple of hours if you're doing a decent loop - rushing through defeats the purpose. Spring and early summer are nicest when the woodland floor isn't squelching underfoot.

If you're based at St Cyrus Holiday Park just down the road, this is exactly the sort of morning walk that justifies bringing your walking boots. It pairs well with time at the coast - Montrose itself is only a few miles off, so you're not trapped in the forest all day. Proper Aberdeenshire woodland: no fuss, no entrance fees, just good trees and a bit of geology.