Ruehill Wood

A proper woodland walk through ancient Scots pine and birch, Ruehill Wood sits just outside Banchory and rewards you with genuine Highland atmosphere without the tourist queue. The forest floor is soft underfoot, paths wind through stands of mature trees, and on a clear day you'll catch glimpses across the Deeside valley. It's the sort of place where you notice things - lichen on the branches, the particular quality of light filtering through the canopy, maybe a red squirrel if you're lucky.

Walkers will get the most from this one. It's not a manicured nature trail with interpretation boards; this is a proper forest that happens to be open to the public. Allow a couple of hours if you want to properly explore rather than rush through. The paths are manageable for reasonably fit families with older kids, though younger ones might find it a bit relentless after the first mile.

If you're staying at Glen Dye Cabins and Cottages just down the road, Ruehill Wood makes an excellent half-day outing that won't eat into your holiday schedule. Go on a weekday morning if possible - weekends bring folk from Aberdeen and the paths get busier. There's something about being among trees that tall and old that makes you properly disconnect. No visitor centre, no facilities to speak of, just woodland. Exactly as it should be.