Montreathmont Moor

Drive inland from Arbroath and you'll hit Montreathmont Moor - a proper Scottish forest that feels genuinely wild despite being just minutes from the coast. It's not manicured parkland. Think dense woodland, forest tracks that go on for miles, and the kind of quiet you don't get near towns.

Walkers will have the best time here. There are marked paths threading through the trees, ranging from gentle loops to longer treks deeper into the moor. The terrain's manageable - mostly well-trodden forest floor rather than boggy scramble - but it does feel remote enough to matter. Bring a map or download a walking app because signage is minimal. Allow two to three hours for a decent circuit, longer if you fancy pushing further.

It's less a destination for young kids wanting entertainment and more for families who actually enjoy walking without crowds. The forest is genuinely atmospheric in autumn when the light filters through properly. Summer's fine but busier.

Free to access, no visitor centre, no facilities worth mentioning. This works brilliantly as a half-day excursion if you're based at The Grange Glamping just down the road - four miles away, which is close enough for breakfast before heading out. You could easily combine it with a coastal walk from Arbroath itself. The moor does what Scottish forests do best: it gets out of your way and lets you just walk.