Roseisle Country Park

You'll find yourself in proper moorland country east of Forres, where Roseisle Country Park spreads across a decent chunk of Aberdeenshire's wilder terrain. It's a nature reserve rather than the kind of manicured park with benches and bins - think open heath, woodland patches, and paths that actually feel like you're going somewhere rather than lapping a loop.

The main draw is the walking. Trails wind through the reserve with decent views across the surrounding landscape, and on a clear day you get a sense of why people bother living up here. Bird watchers tend to get on well with the place - the reserve attracts proper numbers of moorland species, and if you're into that sort of thing, bring binoculars. Families with young kids might find it a bit sparse for a long afternoon, unless you're the type who doesn't mind a couple of hours rambling without destination.

Access appears straightforward enough from Forres, and it slots nicely into a wider exploration of Aberdeenshire's open spaces. If you're staying at The Loft Glamping & Camping just down the road, this is an obvious half-day option - close enough not to eat into your day, interesting enough to justify the effort. Allow a couple of hours for a proper walk. Bring decent footwear; moorland can be boggy.

Won't rival the big Highland parks, but that's rather the point.