Lauriston Plantation

The walk through Lauriston Plantation, just outside Montrose, is a proper tonic if you're staying in the area and need to stretch your legs without a full day's commitment. It's a working forest rather than a manicured estate, which means you get the real thing - tall conifers, forest floor thick with needles, and the kind of quiet that actually feels restorative.

There's a network of paths through the trees, some gentle and some with a bit more gradient if you want a workout. Most people manage an hour to ninety minutes wandering round, though you could easily pop in for twenty minutes if the weather's decent. The forest itself doesn't have the dramatic views of higher ground, but that's not really the point. It's about being under the canopy, hearing the wind in the branches, spotting the occasional roe deer if you're lucky.

Families with young children will find it manageable - the paths are clear enough - though older kids might find it a bit samey after a while. It's the sort of place that appeals more to adults after a day on the coast or anyone needing a quiet interlude. If you're based at St Cyrus Holiday Park just two miles away, this makes a natural morning or late afternoon outing. Equally good if you're staying further afield at Royal Arch Riverside Park and fancy a woodland break between beach walks.

No facilities to speak of, so bring water. Best visited when the paths aren't waterlogged - so avoid the wettest months if you can. Free to access, which helps.