Star Moss

The woodland around Star Moss, just outside Glenrothes, is one of those places where you can actually breathe properly. It's a proper forest walk rather than a manicured country estate - the kind where you crunch through fallen leaves and spot the occasional badger sett if you're lucky.

What you get here is a few kilometres of reasonably easy trails threading through mixed woodland. The moss itself is the boggy heart of it all, which sounds less appealing than it is. In winter and spring when the ground's wet, there's something quite atmospheric about the way the trees crowd in. Summer's busier with families doing the circuit, and frankly it's prettier with a bit of green cover.

This works best for walkers who want a proper hour or so in the woods without the faffing about of a major country park. Kids can manage it without complaint if they're decent hikers - it's not a pushchair job, mind you. History buffs won't find much, but if you're after fresh air between Glenrothes and the coast, it's worth knowing about.

Free to access, as far as anyone can tell. No visitor centre, no café, just forest. That's either brilliant or annoying depending on your mood. Pair it with Letham Feus or Wigwam Holidays Montrave if you're basing yourselves nearby - both are under five miles out, handy for a morning walk before settling in for the day.