Castle Haven Bay

The beach at Castle Haven Bay spreads out in a generous curve of pale sand and shingle, backed by low cliffs that wouldn't look out of place in a Victorian postcard. It's a proper working bay - you'll see boats bobbing offshore and the occasional fishing activity that gives the place a lived-in feel rather than the sanitised look of some Scottish beaches.

There's a scatter of rock pools worth investigating at low tide, and the sand is firm enough for a decent walk in either direction. The bay itself is sheltered, which means the water tends to be calmer than you'd find on more exposed stretches of the Solway coast. Worth knowing if you've got younger children who want to paddle.

The main village of Kirkcudbright sits just a couple of miles inland - colourful high street, decent cafes, the sort of place where you won't starve between beach sessions. If you're staying at one of the nearby parks like Brighouse Bay or Solway View, Castle Haven makes for an easy afternoon jaunt. The approach is a bit narrow and unmade in places, so allow extra time if you're driving with a caravan.

This isn't a destination beach that demands a full day, but it's an honest, functional bit of Dumfries coastline. Locals clearly use it regularly, which usually tells you something. Go when the tide's out for the best of it.