Seafield Park

The walk into Seafield Park takes you straight into proper woodland - Scots pine and birch rising up either side of the path, with the Isla River running alongside. It's the sort of place where you notice the light filtering through the canopy rather than the crowds, because there aren't many about. The reserve sits just outside Keith in Aberdeenshire, and it's genuinely good for spotting woodland birds if you know what you're listening for. Red squirrels come through here too, though you'll need patience and luck in equal measure.

This is walker territory, not somewhere you'd take toddlers expecting an easy amble. The paths are decent enough but the appeal is in the quietness and the chance to actually see something of the natural landscape rather than a groomed tourist experience. Allow a couple of hours if you want to do the full circuit without rushing. Spring and early summer are when the birdsong makes it worthwhile - winter's a bit bleak, if honest.

It works well as a break if you're staying at Hillhead Hideaways nearby. You're close enough for a morning outing without it feeling like a separate expedition. The river side bits are the better sections, so don't cut it short. Keith itself is small and quiet - this park feels like an extension of that rather than a departure from it.