Auchmachar Clump

You won't find crowds at Auchmachar Clump, which tells you something straight away - this is proper woodland, not a destination attraction with visitor facilities and a gift shop. It's a small forest near Mintlaw in Aberdeenshire, the sort of place locals know and outsiders stumble upon by accident. The main draw is a straightforward woodland walk through mature trees, decent enough if you're staying at Aden Caravan & Camping just down the road and fancy an hour off the static van.

What you get is shelter from the wind and a genuine bit of the Scottish countryside without any faffing about. The paths are manageable, not strenuous, which means families with younger kids won't tear their hair out, though there's nothing thrilling enough to hold attention if you've got restless teens in tow. Walkers will find it pleasant but unremarkable - the landscape around Mintlaw is all gently rolling farmland, so don't expect dramatic views or ravines.

There's no visitor centre, no car park sign, no admission charge as far as anyone can tell. You turn up, find a spot to leave the car, and walk. That's the appeal and the limitation in equal measure. If you're based at Aden for a few days, this kills a morning. It's not worth detouring for, but it's worth knowing about if you've got a few hours to kill and want to get out of the caravan site. Go in summer when the midges aren't out for blood.