Olivebank Arena

The Olivebank Arena sits just outside Musselburgh, a proper no-frills sports facility that punches above its weight for the area. This is where locals come to watch everything from football matches to athletics events - nothing fancy, but genuinely atmospheric when there's a crowd.

It's the sort of place that matters if you're into grassroots sport or want to catch a match without the corporate nonsense of bigger stadiums. The setting is very much Scottish Lowlands: functional, weathered, honest. You'll see everything from junior football to track and field, depending on the season. If you're camping at Drummohr or Haven Seton Sands and fancy a Saturday afternoon out, it's only a short drive.

Really, this is for people who actually care about sport rather than the day-trippers after a photo opportunity. Kids who play football themselves will find it more interesting than those just looking for a tourist tick-box. The atmosphere changes entirely depending on what's on - a local derby will absolutely buzz, whereas a quiet Tuesday training session? Less so.

Musselburgh itself is worth a wander regardless - decent pubs, the racecourse if you fancy that, and a proper seaside town feel. The arena's best visited when there's something scheduled, so check ahead before making the trip. It's free to watch most events, though admission varies by fixture. Allow a couple of hours if you're making an afternoon of it.