Limekiln Plantation

The woodland paths at Limekiln Plantation wind through mature Scots pine and mixed broadleaf forest just outside Callander, and it's a proper place to stretch your legs if you're staying in the area. The forest floor is soft underfoot, the light filters green through the canopy, and there's a genuine sense of being away from things even though you're minutes from town.

It's best suited to walkers rather than families with very small children - the paths are decent but not manicured, and there's not much in the way of facilities or playground nonsense. History types might find the old lime kilns themselves interesting (they're remnants from industrial days), but honestly, most people come here for the walk and the quiet rather than the heritage angle. Allow an hour or two depending on how deep into the forest you fancy going.

The real appeal is how well it slots into a caravan park holiday in Callander. Keltie Bridge Caravan Park sits just 1.2 miles away, and Callander Woods Holiday Park is barely further - both have solid ratings. You can knock out a forest walk in the morning, head into Callander for lunch, then do something else in the afternoon. It's the kind of stop that fills a gap nicely rather than being a destination in itself. Free to access as far as anyone can tell, and you can turn up whenever suits. Good for rainy days too, since the tree cover keeps things dry enough.