Donkeys

There's a working donkey sanctuary just outside Forfar that catches most visitors by surprise. You'll find them in a proper working farm setting - nothing twee or overly commercialised, just actual donkeys doing their thing in the Aberdeenshire landscape.

What you get is straightforward: the chance to see these animals up close, feed them if conditions allow, and learn a bit about why they're here. Some are rescues, some are working animals. The staff aren't shifty about the reality of it all - they'll tell you straight what the sanctuary does and why these particular donkeys matter. It's the kind of place where you're not paying through the nose for Instagram moments.

Families with younger kids will get an hour or so out of it, though toddlers might lose interest fast if the donkeys aren't particularly cooperative that day (they're animals, not performers). Walkers and anyone interested in rural life will find it worth a quick stop between exploring the wider Highlands. The setting itself - proper working Aberdeenshire farmland - is pleasant enough.

It pairs well with Greenhillock Glamping if you're basing yourself in the area, only four miles away. You could easily slot this in as a casual half-hour detour rather than making it the centrepiece of your day. Forfar's close enough if you need supplies or a proper lunch afterwards. Go without expecting theme-park polish and you'll leave satisfied.