Reid Park

Reid Park sits just outside Forfar and is proper Aberdeenshire woodland - the sort of place where you can actually hear yourself think. It's a nature reserve that works equally well for a quick stomp through the trees or a longer afternoon if you've got the legs for it.

The park itself is fairly straightforward: paths wind through mixed woodland with a decent chance of spotting roe deer if you're quiet enough. The undergrowth gets thick in summer, but winter walks here feel less claustrophobic. You'll get decent views across the surrounding farmland from the higher bits, which makes it worth the climb to the back of the reserve.

Walkers will find it rewarding, though there's not much here for young kids beyond "look, trees." The paths are manageable rather than dramatic - no rocky scrambles or mountain views. If you're after serious Highland scenery, you'll need to push further into Cairngorms territory. But for a morning walk while based nearby, it does the job well.

The reserve is free and seems to operate on an open-access basis year-round, though conditions can get muddy. Allow ninety minutes for a proper circuit. If you're staying at Greenhillock Glamping just down the road, this makes a good warm-up walk before tackling anything more ambitious. The proximity to Forfar means you can grab lunch in town afterwards, which breaks up the day nicely.