Lumphanan Golf Course

The golf course sits on proper highland terrain just outside Tullochvenus, and it's the kind of place that rewards a decent swing and punishes a wayward one. Lumphanan is a nine-hole layout that plays tighter than it first appears - tree-lined fairways and the occasional water hazard keep you honest without being brutal. The course has that honest, working feel you get at Scottish clubs that aren't trying to be Gleneagles. You'll want to allow a couple of hours for a round, maybe more if you're not a regular golfer.

Golfers of all abilities will find something here, though it's hardly a resort experience. There's no café pretending to be a clubhouse, and the greens fees sit somewhere reasonable - phone ahead to confirm current rates. The real appeal is the Highland setting and the fact that the course plays through genuine countryside rather than manicured parkland. On a clear day, the views across Aberdeenshire make up for any rough patches in your game.

If you're staying at Aboyne Loch Caravan Park or Greenpark Leisure just down the road, this is a good morning out without the drive. An afternoon round here, followed by the surrounding walks and villages, makes for a solid golf holiday in the area. Not spectacular, but genuine - and that counts for more than some might think.