North Wood

Walk into North Wood near Laurencekirk and you're straight into proper Aberdeenshire woodland - the kind of place where you actually feel the Highlands pressing in, even though you're not that far inland. It's a genuine forest, not a manicured nature reserve, with dense trees, uneven ground, and enough paths to keep you occupied for a good couple of hours if you're keen.

The appeal here is straightforward. You get woodland walks through mature trees, some decent views back towards the surrounding countryside, and that satisfying sense of being away from it all without needing hiking boots and a packed lunch. It's less dramatic than some Highland locations but feels more authentic because of it. Families with primary-school kids will have a decent time exploring; teenagers might find it a bit tame unless they're genuinely into nature. Real walkers will appreciate it as a solid warm-up before tackling the bigger stuff further north.

There's no charge to access it, and you can easily spend an afternoon here combined with time at St Cyrus Holiday Park nearby - that's a proper base if you're planning a few days in the area. Go mid-morning on a weekday if you can; weekends bring out the dog walkers and it gets noticeably busier. The woodland's best in autumn when the light filters through properly, but it's accessible year-round.