Abbey Bowling Club

You'll find Abbey Bowling Club tucked away near Arbroath, a working sports venue that's been serving the local community for years. It's a proper bowls club - the kind of place where you'll see serious players alongside casual weekend warriors, all working out their strategies on immaculate greens. The club runs crown green and flat green bowling, which means there's proper technique involved if you're keen to learn.

This isn't a tourist attraction in the traditional sense. You're looking at a genuine local spot where the real appeal lies in having a go yourself rather than watching from the sidelines. If you've never bowled before, the club can show you the ropes - the basics take about ten minutes to grasp, though mastering the bias of the bowl takes considerably longer. It's relaxing, surprisingly competitive, and absolutely the kind of thing to do on a drizzly Scottish afternoon when you can't face hiking.

Families with older kids will have a decent time here, though younger children might lose interest fairly quickly unless they're genuinely keen. Adults after a bit of gentle activity will get far more out of it. Worth ringing ahead to check whether they're open to visitors and what the green fees are - they vary depending on whether you're using their facilities or bringing your own bowls.

If you're staying at The Grange Glamping nearby, this makes a convenient half-day outing without venturing far from base. The Arbroath seafront is only a short drive away if you fancy combining it with something more visually dramatic.