Auchmithie Beach

The coastal path drops down to Auchmithie Beach through a narrow gorge where the red sandstone cliffs tower overhead - it's a proper scramble to get down there, which keeps the crowds away. Once you reach the shore, you're standing on a wide sandy beach backed by those spectacular dark red rock faces that glow at sunset. The village of Auchmithie sits perched on the clifftop above, and locals will tell you it's one of the best stretches of coastline between Arbroath and Stonehaven.

It's a place for walkers and photographers rather than bucket-and-spade families, though determined kids will manage the descent if they're nimble. The beach itself rewards exploring - rock pools at low tide, sea caves you can squeeze into, the whole dramatic geology of the Scottish coast on display. Allow a couple of hours if you're making a proper morning of it, longer if you want to chase the light for photos.

Getting there means parking near the clifftop and negotiating that steep path down - wear proper shoes, not flip-flops. The beach can be blustery even when the weather looks fine inland, so bring a windproof. Free to visit, of course. It pairs well with a stay at The Grange Glamping, just a few miles south near Arbroath, giving you a comfortable base for exploring this stretch of Aberdeenshire's coast. Best visited when the tide is out and the light's turning golden.