Riverside Park

The River Forth winds through Stirling in a way that makes you forget you're on the edge of a town. Riverside Park runs along the water's edge, and it's genuinely one of those stretches where you can walk for a good hour without seeing much evidence of civilization beyond the path itself.

It's a proper nature reserve rather than a manicured park, which means overgrown banks, willows trailing into the water, and the occasional heron if you're quiet enough. The main draw is the walking - flat, easy going, no hills to speak of. Families with young kids do well here because there's enough space to let them run ahead without losing sight of them, and the riverside keeps them entertained without needing a destination.

If you're staying at Witches Craig Caravan Park just up the road, this is an obvious morning walk before it gets too warm. The paths aren't especially dramatic or Instagram-worthy, but that's rather the point. You get birds, a bit of green, fresh air, and the sound of water. No entry fees that I'm aware of, no gift shop, no faffing about.

Walkers and nature spotters will get more from it than thrill-seekers. Bring binoculars if you're into that sort of thing. The best time is early morning when the water's still and the place feels genuinely wild for five minutes.