Hidden Waterfall

You'll need proper hiking boots and a decent sense of direction to find this one. Hidden Waterfall sits deep in Aberdeenshire's moorland, a fair trek from Pitfichie, and that's precisely why it stays relatively quiet even in peak season. The waterfall itself isn't enormous - expect a modest cascade rather than a thundering torrent - but the setting is what makes it worthwhile. Rocky pools at the base are cold enough to make you gasp, and the heather-covered hills rolling away in every direction feel genuinely remote.

It's a walker's spot, no question. Families with young kids might struggle with the terrain and the distance, though teenagers keen on a challenge would enjoy it. The walk takes a good two to three hours depending on your fitness and how lost you get, so factor that into your day. There's no visitor centre, no café, no facilities - bring water and a packed lunch.

If you're staying at Glamping Bothie nearby, this makes an excellent half-day adventure. The contrast between a cosy bothie and a few hours scrambling through proper wilderness is exactly what a Scottish Highland break should feel like. Just don't expect signposts or easy parking. Go on a clear day - in mist, this place becomes genuinely tricky to navigate, and the whole appeal rather evaporates when you can't see ten metres ahead.