Smuggler's Cave

The cave entrance sits tucked into the clifftside near Arbroath, and yes, the stories about smugglers actually hold water. This isn't some polished visitor attraction with gift shops - it's a proper working cave that you access by scrambling down a coastal path, and that's half the appeal.

Once inside, you're looking at a chamber that's genuinely impressive in scale, with enough room to move around without crouching too much. The walls show you the layered geology straightaway, and on clear days, light filters through in a way that makes the whole thing feel less like a dungeon and more like stepping into something genuinely atmospheric. Local historians reckon the cavity was used for storing contraband goods when Arbroath was busier for illicit trade - whether that's entirely proven is another matter, but the legend's good enough.

This is brilliant for anyone who likes a bit of geology or coastal walking, though it's not a destination on its own - you'll need twenty minutes there, same coming back. Families with kids old enough to handle uneven ground and narrow paths will get something out of it. Avoid winter storms when the path gets treacherous.

The Grange Glamping & Animal Experience is five miles off, which makes for a decent base if you're combining cave exploring with other coastal work around Arbroath. The cave itself is free, though you're relying on local knowledge to find it properly. Worth half a morning if you're in the area.