Arbroath Marina

The marina at Arbroath sits right where the town meets the sea, and it's genuinely worth an hour of your time if you're staying nearby. You get a proper working harbour here - fishing boats still come and go, which means there's actual life to it rather than the sterile feel of some seaside developments. The waterfront's been smartened up with decent walkways, and you can grab a coffee while watching the boats bob about.

For families, it's low-pressure stuff. Kids might enjoy spotting the fishing vessels or wandering along the harbour wall, though they won't be entertained for hours on end. If you're into maritime history, there's real character in the place - Arbroath's been a fishing town for centuries, and you can feel that in the working boats rather than reading about it on a plaque.

There's no charge to wander round, and you can easily combine it with a walk into Arbroath town centre if the weather's reasonable. The Grange Glamping is only 5.7 miles away, which makes this a convenient spot for a morning stroll if you're staying there. The coast along here gets battered by weather regularly, so pick a calm day if you want decent photos.

Honestly? It's the sort of place that works better as part of a coastal walk than a destination in itself. But if you're in Aberdeenshire and fancy some fresh air without pretension, the marina delivers that. It's real, unpretentious, and beats most manufactured attractions.