Hospital Island

The woodland walk on Hospital Island, just outside Banff, is a proper surprise - more of a wooded peninsula than an actual island, despite the name. You get river views, a scattering of old stone structures, and genuine peace and quiet. The trees run thick along the water's edge, and the paths are well-trodden enough that you won't get lost, but not so busy that you'll feel like you're queueing through nature.

It's the sort of place that works for a solid hour's wander rather than a full day out. Families with younger kids might find it a bit limited - the paths are straightforward but there's not much in the way of play equipment or drama. Walkers and history buffs, though, will appreciate the older ruins and the chance to think about what the place was actually used for. Bring decent shoes; it can get boggy depending on the weather.

Banff itself is close enough that you could easily slot this in between caravan parks like Banff Links or Whitehills - both are within spitting distance. It's free to access, which is always welcome, and there's no particular time you need to visit, though the light's lovely in the late afternoon when the sun sits low over the water. Don't expect anything flashy or touristy. This is just a quiet corner of Aberdeenshire where the forest meets the river and nobody's bothered to over-develop it. That's precisely why it's worth the short drive from town.