Crawton Bay

The cliffs at Crawton Bay rear up from the North Sea with a raw, wind-beaten drama that feels proper Scottish. You get here via a short walk from the car park - nothing strenuous - and the reward is a stretch of rocky coastline that doesn't get rammed with day-trippers. The bay itself is hemmed in by sheer red sandstone cliffs, and when the light hits them right, the stone glows almost amber. Rock pools scatter across the beach at low tide, which keeps kids occupied for longer than you'd expect.

It's not a manicured beach experience. You're looking at craggy rocks, rough access, and the constant sense that the sea here means business. That's exactly why it works. The geology buffs will love it - those cliffs tell a proper story if you know how to read them.

Head here on a clearer day if you can, because the wind can turn nasty and visibility matters for the views. Allow an hour easy, more if you're photographing or mucking about in pools. Free to visit, naturally.

Stay at Cloak Caravan Park, just half a mile away, or Upper Crawton Park a touch further out - both rated five stars and perfect bases for exploring this stretch of coast. Stonehaven itself is four miles down the road if you need shops or proper amenities. The bay works well as part of a coastal walk loop rather than a standalone stop, especially if you're combining visits with other Aberdeenshire highlights.