Ardneil Bay

The beach at Ardneil Bay reveals itself gradually as you walk down from the car park - a modest curve of sand backed by low dunes and rough grass, facing out towards the Firth of Clyde. It's the kind of Scottish beach that rewards low expectations. The sand is decent enough when the tide's out, the water cold but swimmable in summer, and on a clear day you can see across to the Isle of Arran.

Families with younger kids will get a solid couple of hours here, though there's not much in the way of facilities - a car park and that's about it. Walkers gravitate here for the coastal path access, which extends in both directions and offers decent views without requiring any serious fitness. The real appeal is the relative quiet. You won't find yourself fighting for space on the sand like you do at the more famous Ayrshire beaches.

It's a free visit, obviously. Bring what you need with you - shops are back in Ayrshire. If the weather turns, don't expect shelter. It can get quite exposed when the wind picks up off the water, which happens more often than not in Scotland.

If you're staying at Parkdean Resorts Sandylands Holiday Park just down the coast, Ardneil Bay makes a straightforward morning or evening trip - close enough not to feel like a proper outing, but enough of a change of scenery to break up the day. It's good for what it is: a working beach that doesn't try to be anything fancier.