Montcoffer Wood

The woodland floor at Montcoffer is thick with moss and fallen branches, the kind of forest where you can actually breathe properly. It's a proper walk rather than a stroll - mixed woodland covering decent acreage on the outskirts of Macduff, in Aberdeenshire, with enough paths to keep you occupied for a couple of hours without feeling rushed.

What you get is straightforward: mature trees, quiet trails, and the sort of place where locals take their dogs rather than tour coaches. There's nothing flashy about it - no visitor centre, no tearooms, no interpretive panels explaining what you're looking at. Just woodland as it should be. The paths are reasonably maintained but can get boggy after rain, so proper boots aren't a luxury.

History buffs might find something in the old estate backdrop, but honestly, Montcoffer works best for walkers wanting a proper stretch without the Cairngorms circus. Kids will manage fine if they're the exploring type; younger ones might get bored after 45 minutes unless you're lucky enough to spot wildlife. Families staying at Portsoy Links Caravan Park - just 6.6 miles down the road - could easily slot this in as a morning walk before heading to the coast.

It's free to visit, as these things usually are. No facilities that we're aware of, so pack water and maybe a snack. Go on a weekday morning if you want it to yourself. It's not Instagram-famous, which is rather the point.