Cave of Inch More

The cave sits tucked into the cliffs near Peterhead, accessible only at low tide when the North Sea obligingly retreats far enough to let you scramble across the rocks. It's not vast - you can walk through it in minutes - but there's something properly atmospheric about ducking into that dark mouth of stone, knowing the water will be back soon enough to reclaim it.

Inch More is more about the geology and the drama of the Aberdeenshire coastline than any grand interior. The cave itself is modest, but the journey getting there matters: walking down from the clifftop, timing your visit around the tides, the way the light changes as you venture deeper. It rewards walkers and anyone interested in coastal geography. Kids will find it exciting if they're old enough to manage scrambling over wet rocks without needing constant supervision - under-fives might find the novelty wears off quickly.

You'll need to research tide times before heading out; the cave is only properly accessible for a few hours either side of low water, so planning is essential. It costs nothing, and you're only looking at an hour or so for the whole experience including the walk and a potter about inside. There's no visitor facility here - it's pure geology on the raw end of the Aberdeenshire coast.

If you're staying at Peterhead Marina Bay Holiday Park, this makes a decent half-morning excursion, though check conditions first. The wider coastline around Peterhead offers plenty of other walks if the cave itself disappoints.