Pitmedden Garden

The formal garden at Pitmedden is an absolute stunner if you catch it in summer - mile upon mile of intricate hedging and flower beds laid out in the most elaborate 17th-century design you'll see anywhere in Scotland. It's a National Trust property near Ellon, and the scale of it genuinely takes your breath away from the moment you walk through the gates.

You're looking at a proper wander round here - at least an hour if you want to take it in properly. The centrepiece is this massive parterre with thousands of plants arranged in geometric patterns, and honestly, it's the kind of thing that photographs better from the pavilion overlooking it. On a clear day the views over Aberdeenshire stretch for miles. The garden was restored after a fire in the '50s, so what you're seeing is historically accurate down to the plant varieties.

It's brilliant for anyone who loves formal gardens and plant design, less so if you're after a brisk walk or expecting something wild and natural. Children can get restless after an hour unless they're genuinely into horticulture. Allow a good two hours to do it justice, and visit between May and September when the displays are actually worth seeing - anything earlier and you'll be looking at bare beds.

The Ythan Valley Campsite sits just a few miles away, making Pitmedden an easy add-on to a wider holiday in the area. Admission isn't free, but it's reasonable enough. Well worth the effort if you're stopping in Aberdeenshire.