Greenhill Wood

The woodland around Greenhill Wood near Ellon is proper Aberdeenshire - quiet, working forest rather than the manicured kind you find further south. You're walking amongst Scots pine and spruce with the sort of damp earth underfoot that means you'll need decent boots, especially after rain. The paths aren't signposted to death, which is either brilliant or annoying depending on your mood. Locals use it more than tourists, which tells you something.

It's the kind of place where you'd bring a dog and not think twice, or take an afternoon to clear your head on a dreich day. Kids won't find it thrilling on its own - there's no play park, no visitor centre - but it's a solid add-on if you're staying at Ythan Valley Campsite just three miles away. From there, you could combine it with a proper walk along the Ythan estuary itself, which is where the real interest lies for birders.

The wood does the job for what it is: a genuine bit of working Scottish forest where you won't fight crowds or pay an entrance fee. But don't expect facilities or Instagram moments. Allow an hour or so if you're treating it as a standalone visit. Best in spring when the light filters through fresh growth, or autumn when everything's golden. Winter's fine too if you don't mind muddy conditions.