North Esk

The North Esk is one of those rivers that sneaks up on you - locals know it, tourists often miss it entirely. Running through Aberdeenshire in the Scottish Highlands, this water offers proper walking country without the crowds you'd find further west. The river cuts through wooded sections with decent walking paths alongside, and on a clear day the granite hills rise up nicely in the distance.

If you're into gentle riverside rambles or fishing, this is your sort of spot. The water's cold but the scenery's warming - banks lined with native trees, occasional clearings where you can sit and actually hear yourself think. It's not dramatic like Cairngorm country, but it doesn't need to be. Kids will find sticks to throw in the water and stones to skip (they'll lose interest after a couple of hours, mind you).

The nearest proper settlement is Laurencekirk, which gives you a baseline for supplies and facilities. What works well is combining the North Esk with a stay at one of the local holiday parks - Royal Arch Riverside Park and Dovecot Caravan Park are both within five miles and well-rated. You get your pitch sorted, then spend mornings exploring the riverbanks and afternoons relaxing back at the park. No entrance fees, no opening hours nonsense. Just turn up and go for a walk. Allow a couple of hours minimum if you want to do the walk properly rather than just poking around for twenty minutes.