Huntly Castle Picnic Site

The castle ruins loom over a tidy picnic ground just outside Huntly, and it's one of those spots that works brilliantly if you've got kids who need feeding but actually want to see something proper rather than sitting in a car park. The site itself is well-maintained with tables and decent access, though it's the backdrop that makes it worth the stop - the remnants of Huntly Castle, one of the Northeast's most imposing fortifications, tower above you while you unwrap sandwiches.

Historically minded adults will get the most from this setup. The castle dates back to the 12th century and you can wander its perimeter, reading the remains of what was once a seriously important stronghold. Kids aged six upwards tend to enjoy exploring the ruins for an hour or so, climbing about on the old walls and pretending it's a fortress - which, to be fair, it absolutely was.

It's free to use the picnic area, and you can spend anywhere from forty minutes to two hours depending on how thoroughly you fancy investigating the castle bits. The site opens earlier in summer (9:30am, mid-April onwards) and closes earlier in winter, so plan accordingly if you're visiting October through March.

If you're staying at Huntly Castle Holiday Park just down the road, this is an obvious lunchtime call or an afternoon potter. It's not dramatic enough to warrant a special journey from far afield, but as part of exploring Aberdeenshire's castle trail, it slots in nicely. Pack a proper lunch - there's nowhere to buy food nearby.