Friock Wood

Walk into Friock Wood and you're immediately wrapped in that particular quiet you only get in Scottish forests - the kind where the only sound is your boots on the needle-strewn path. It's a proper woodland, the sort with tall pines, dappled light, and enough moss on the trees to make you feel you've stepped back a century or two. The wood sits inland from Arbroath, which means it's accessible without too much faffing about but far enough away that it doesn't get mobbed.

What you're actually doing here is woodland walking, nothing more complicated than that. There are paths through the trees, decent for a Sunday afternoon ramble, though they can be boggy after rain so bring proper boots. The canopy's thick enough that it stays relatively dry underneath, which is either a blessing or a curse depending on whether you like damp undergrowth. Allow an hour or so to properly explore without rushing.

Families with older kids will get more out of it than toddlers - there's not much to grab their attention beyond "look, trees" - but it's the sort of place you go if you actually want to walk rather than be entertained. History enthusiasts might find the woodland ecology interesting, though there's limited heritage signposting.

It pairs well with The Grange Glamping just down the road, which is excellent if you're after proper accommodation with a bit of character. Combine a woodland morning here with whatever animal experiences they've got on, and you've got a solid half-day sorted. Free to visit, as far as I can tell - no gates, no charges.