MacDonald Park

MacDonald Park is a proper nature reserve tucked into Aberdeenshire's landscape, where the Scottish Highlands start to assert themselves. It's the sort of place where you wander through woodland and open moorland without crowds - which, frankly, is half the appeal if you've just come from the busier tourist traps further south.

What you're after here is straightforward: walking trails through native habitats, and if you're lucky with timing, you'll spot red squirrels, roe deer, and various bird species that don't bother with the gift shop circuit. There's something satisfying about a reserve that just lets nature get on with it rather than overexplaining everything. The paths are manageable for families with reasonably steady legs, though it's not playground-friendly if you've got very small ones.

Arbroath's only a short drive away, which makes it a sensible half-day addition to a Highlands trip rather than a destination in itself. If you're based at The Grange Glamping up the road - and by all accounts it's a good spot - MacDonald Park works as a morning walk before breakfast or a gentle afternoon when the weather's not cooperating for bigger hikes.

Timing-wise, spring and early autumn are your best bets. Summer brings midges, and winter's fine if you don't mind mud. Admission details aren't widely advertised, so ring ahead before you visit. Reckon on two to three hours if you do a proper loop rather than a quick circuit.