Bow Fiddle Rock

You'll round a bend on the B9139 near Banff and suddenly there it is - a massive stone arch jutting out of the North Sea like something from a fantasy film. Bow Fiddle Rock is exactly what its name suggests: a natural rock formation that actually does look like a fiddle bow if you squint hard enough and tilt your head. The real draw is getting down to it. A short but proper scramble takes you from the clifftop car park across rocks and rough ground to the shore itself. Once there, you can walk right through the arch at low tide, which is genuinely brilliant. The whole experience takes about 45 minutes unless you're the type to sit about with a thermos watching the waves.

This is coastal drama without the crowds you'd get further south. It's perfect for walkers who want something tangible to aim for rather than endless cliff paths, and kids usually find clambering over rocks far more engaging than another viewpoint. The sea stack itself photographs beautifully from multiple angles, so bring a decent camera if you've got one. Timing matters - aim for low tide to get the full experience, and check conditions aren't too rough because the scramble can be slippery.

If you're staying at Sandend Holidays or Greencraig just down the coast, Bow Fiddle makes a proper half-day outing. Combine it with a wander through Banff town itself for lunch, and you've got something worth the drive. The coast here feels genuinely wild and undervisited compared to the honeypot spots further along Aberdeenshire.