Kinshaldy Beach

The stretch of sand at Kinshaldy, just across the Tay from Tayport, is one of those beaches that rewards you for bothering to find it. It's not dramatic or particularly long - about a mile of relatively quiet shoreline with the Fife coast's characteristic soft sand and shallow shelving that makes it decent for a paddle even when the water's cold as it usually is.

What makes it work is the lack of crowds. You get families here, dog walkers, the occasional photographer chasing light, but nothing like the chaos of Carnoustie or Monifieth further along the coast. The sea wall behind gives good shelter if the wind's up, and there's a reasonable car park that doesn't require you to perform miracles.

For a caravan holiday based at any of the parks within six miles - St Andrews Holiday Park, Clayton, or Craigtoun Meadows - this is an easy fifteen-minute drive for a morning or afternoon out. It works best for families with younger kids who'll happily spend two hours digging holes and building castles without needing arcades or ice cream vans. Walkers use it as a leg of something bigger rather than a destination in itself.

Timing-wise, aim for late afternoon when the light softens and any holiday traffic thins out. It's free, there's no time limit, and you can arrive whenever suits. The car park's usually empty enough that parking's never a stress. Don't come expecting drama - come expecting a proper beach that's yours to roam without queuing.