Crovie viewpoint

The road down to Crovie is properly steep and narrow - not one for the faint-hearted or caravans, mind you. Once you've navigated that, you're rewarded with one of the finest coastal views along the Aberdeenshire stretch. This tiny fishing village clings to the shoreline in the shadow of red sandstone cliffs, and from the viewpoint above, you can see why folk have battled the elements here for centuries.

The village itself is almost vertical - cottages stacked like a child's building blocks against the cliff face. On a clear day, the North Sea light does something extraordinary, turning the water from grey to silver within minutes. There's a working harbour where you might catch boats coming and going, though frankly, half the charm is just standing quiet and watching the water.

Walkers will want the full experience - park near Banff and take the coastal path down. It's about an hour each way and absolutely worth the effort. The viewpoint car park (if there is one - it's proper minimal) gets busy in summer, so go early morning or late afternoon. Families with young kids might find the steep access a bit much, but teenagers who can manage a walk will think it's brilliant.

Close enough to Banff for a proper visit, and if you're stopping at any of the local caravan sites like Gamrie Bay or Shepherd's Loch, this makes a cracking afternoon detour. Just don't expect facilities - bring a flask and settle in.