Village Green

Walking into Village Green feels like stumbling onto something locals have kept quiet about. It's a proper nature reserve just outside Stirling, and the Lowlands landscape here - rolling grassland dotted with native trees - catches you off guard if you're expecting the bleaker highlands further north.

The reserve itself isn't massive, but that's rather the point. You're looking at gentle woodland trails, open meadows that burst with wildflowers in late spring, and enough birdlife to keep twitchers occupied for a good two hours. I spotted skylarks and kestrels on my visit, though timing matters - early morning is when you'll see the most movement.

It's ideal for anyone after a quieter nature walk without the crowds you get at the bigger Scottish reserves. Families with younger kids will manage the paths fine, though there's nothing particularly dramatic to hold their attention beyond half an hour. Serious walkers might find it a touch tame compared with what's available in the Trossachs an hour north, but that's not really what Village Green is about.

Free to access, and you can wander for as long as you fancy. If you're staying at The WHW Hotel & Campsite nearby - about four miles away - this makes a lovely half-day addition to your trip. The reserve works best as a morning outing before heading into Glasgow for the afternoon. Go in autumn when the light's golden and the midges have disappeared.