Lady's Plantation

Deep in Aberdeenshire's wooded terrain, Lady's Plantation is a proper forest walk that rewards those willing to leave the main drag between Montrose and the surrounding countryside. It's the sort of place where you actually forget you're in the Highlands - dense tree cover, quiet paths, the occasional surprise clearing. The walk itself isn't particularly gruelling, but it's not a gentle stroll either. You'll get decent woodland views and a real sense of having ventured somewhere, not just pottered around a manicured park.

This works best for walkers and families with older kids who won't complain about muddy boots and the lack of obvious "attractions". Younger children might lose interest once the novelty of trees wears off, which admittedly happens faster than you'd think. The real draw is the walk itself - time in the forest, fresh air, the occasional bird life if you're lucky. No facilities to speak of, so bring what you need.

Head out early if you can, especially weekends. Allow a couple of hours to do it properly without rushing. It fits nicely alongside a stay at St Cyrus Holiday Park down the road - do the forest walk in the morning, head to the beach or other attractions afterwards. Montrose is your nearest town for supplies or a coffee break beforehand. The whole thing is free, which is about right for what you get.