New Aberdour Beach

The stretch of sand at New Aberdour sits a short drive from Fraserburgh, backed by a low sea wall and opening onto the North Sea with proper conviction. It's not one of those manicured tourist beaches - the sand gets busy with locals and their dogs, and the water is cold enough to make you think twice about a swim outside July and August.

What you get here is honest seaside. Rock pools scatter along the lower foreshore when the tide's out, which keeps children occupied for a good hour if they're the poking-about type. The beach faces northeast, so morning light here is excellent for photography. There's a car park right at the access point, which saves the faff of a long walk, and it's free to visit.

Walkers will find the coastal path picks up from here and stretches both directions - the section heading south towards Troup Head has real drama to it. Most people allow an hour or two for a beach visit depending on tide times and the weather, which can turn quickly on this stretch of coast.

If you're camping at AC/DC Glamping or Down On The Farm, New Aberdour makes an easy morning or late-afternoon stop rather than a day-long destination. It's proper working beach - fishing boats still operate from nearby Fraserburgh - so expect a bit of salt spray and wind. The Aberdeenshire coast isn't about shelter; it's about space and that bracing Scottish air.