Castle Island

The walk through Castle Island's woodland is one of those proper Deeside surprises that catches people off guard. There's an actual castle ruin on the island - a modest stone structure that sits in the middle of what's now a small loch, accessed by a footbridge. It's less dramatic than you'd hope from a distance, but the forest setting around it is genuinely lovely, with mature trees and a quiet path loop that takes about 20 minutes if you're not lingering.

This is walkers' territory, really. Families with young kids might find it a bit underwhelming after the initial novelty of the bridge, and the muddy patches after rain can be annoying if you're not prepared. History types will get something out of it - there's a sense of age to the place - though don't expect grand ruins or detailed interpretation boards.

It's free, accessible from Aboyne in easy reach, and well worth the detour if you're already exploring the Dee Valley. The woodland itself is the draw rather than the castle, truth be told. Pair it with a base at one of the nearby caravan parks - Aboyne Loch is closest at six miles - and you've got a gentle morning walk that fits neatly into a wider holiday in the Highlands. The autumnal colours are particularly good here. Allow an hour including a proper poke around, less if you're just passing through.