Newbigging Belt

A strip of woodland that cuts through Aberdeenshire farmland just outside Laurencekirk, Newbigging Belt is the kind of place you stumble upon rather than plan for. The trees here - mostly Scots pine and broadleaf - create a proper corridor of shade that's genuinely welcome on a warm day, even if the walk itself is only going to take you forty minutes or so unless you dawdle.

It's free to access and there's no faffing about with gates or visitor centres. You just turn up and walk. The paths are well-maintained enough, though not manicured in that annoying National Trust way. Families with younger kids will find it decent for letting them burn off energy without needing to trek for hours. Walkers heading out from Glen Dye Cabins and Cottages nearby might pop in as a supplement to a longer route rather than a destination in itself.

Honestly? It's solid woodland, nothing more, nothing less. Don't expect dramatic vistas or rare wildlife. Come for a quiet half-hour among the trees, not for Instagram moments. It works best in spring when there's proper growth underway, or autumn when the light filters through differently. Summer can feel a bit murky and claustrophobic if you're after views. Winter's fine if you don't mind muddy boots.

If you're based at the nearby cabins and cottages for a few days, this scratches the woodland itch without requiring a drive. Good for resetting the head, rubbish for anyone expecting anything 'special'.