Droich Wood

Walking into Droich Wood near Laurencekirk feels like stepping back in time - it's one of those rare Scottish woodlands that hasn't been entirely levelled and replanted with monoculture. The trees here have proper character, a mix of ages and species that actually looks like a real forest rather than a forestry exercise.

There's a decent network of paths that wind through the wood, and the terrain's manageable without being boring. You'll get a sense of what the Aberdeenshire landscape looked like before it was all turned into farmland. The walk takes about an hour to ninety minutes depending on which paths you take and how often you stop to poke about in the undergrowth.

Historically minded visitors will appreciate that this area has real bones - the nearby settlements and estate lands tell a proper story of rural Scotland. Families with kids in the eight to fourteen range will find enough to hold their attention, though it's not a theme park experience; you need children who actually enjoy woods.

The nearest holiday parks - Royal Arch Riverside Park is a solid three and a half miles away, and Glen Dye Cabins is six and a half if you want somewhere to base yourself - make this an easy add-on to a wider Deeside or Howe of the Mearns trip. It's free to walk, open year-round, and honestly one of the better woodland experiences in this part of Aberdeenshire without the tourist machinery that can smother some Scottish attractions. Worth the detour if you're already in the area.