Banff

Two harbours bracket this working fishing town where granite buildings face the Moray Firth with proper Scottish determination. Banff sits on Aberdeenshire's coast with an honest, weathered charm that comes from centuries of hauling nets and battling North Sea storms.

The twin towns of Banff and Macduff span the River Deveron, connected by a seven-arched bridge that's been linking these communities since 1779. Banff gets the Georgian elegance - grand townhouses line the High Street - while Macduff handles the serious business of fishing. Both feel authentically Scottish rather than polished for tourists.

Walking the clifftops reveals why mariners have long respected this stretch of coast. The Compass Rose landmark marks where countless vessels have taken their bearings, and the various memorials - including the Colin Barron VC Memorial and Fishermen and Seafarers Memorial - remind visitors of the sea's harsh realities. These aren't tourist attractions exactly, but they tell the area's real story.

Inland, the rolling hills of Aberdeenshire provide excellent walking. Hill of Culbirnie and Hill of Tipperty offer cracking views back to the coast on clear days, though the weather can turn quickly. The countryside here feels vast and slightly wild, dotted with working farms and the occasional gallery like Heaveawa Fitehills.

Getting here means following the A98 coast road from Aberdeen - about an hour's drive through some of Scotland's most underrated scenery. The nearest train station is at Huntly, roughly 25 miles inland.

Staying at one of the coastal caravan parks like Banff Links or Whitehills gives you proper access to this stretch of the Moray Firth. You're well-placed for exploring both the fishing heritage and the surprisingly dramatic countryside that rises just back from the shore.