Marble Basin

You'll find this rocky outcrop near Musselburgh, and honestly, it's the sort of spot that divides opinion. Marble Basin is essentially a geological formation where the landscape shifts dramatically - water, stone, and the sheer scale of the thing catching you off guard when you round the corner. It's not a manicured attraction with visitor facilities or interpretive boards. What you get is raw East Lothian coastline, and that's either brilliant or underwhelming depending on your tolerance for "natural but fairly understated."

The walk here is decent enough, and if you're staying at Drummohr Camping & Glamping Site just up the road, it's worth an afternoon amble to break up your time. Bring proper footwear - the basin itself involves some careful scrambling over uneven ground, and it's slippery when wet. Photography enthusiasts will get something out of it, particularly if light hits the stone formations right. Walkers passing through East Lothian should slot it in, though seasoned hikers won't find it a revelation.

No admission charge - you just turn up. Allow an hour including the walk from Musselburgh, though if you're quick, thirty minutes covers it. It's not the sort of place that demands half your day, which is probably for the best. Real value here sits in the layered geology rather than dramatic views or facilities, so come prepared for a no-frills experience.