Cruden Bay Library

You'll find this modest brick library tucked away in the village of Cruden Bay, about six miles south of Peterhead. It's the sort of place that doesn't announce itself loudly, which makes it all the more useful if you're staying nearby and need a quiet afternoon indoors or want to pick up a novel you've forgotten to pack.

The library stocks the usual mix of fiction, non-fiction, and local interest titles, with decent holdings on Scottish history and the northeast coast. Staff are helpful without being intrusive. It's small enough that you won't spend hours browsing, but substantial enough to be genuinely useful if you're after something specific. There's a community feel to it - the kind of library where locals pop in to catch up with the librarian and browse the notice board for village events.

If you're staying at Peterhead Marina Bay Holiday Park, this is worth knowing about rather than worth making a special trip for. On a dreich afternoon when the beach walk feels like a slog, it's a proper refuge. Kids won't get much out of a lengthy visit, though there's usually a small children's section. The real audience here is adults escaping the elements for an hour or two - readers, walkers needing shelter, or anyone after local recommendations about the area.

Admission is free. Opening hours vary, so check ahead with Aberdeenshire Council's website before you go. Allow thirty minutes to an hour if you're serious about browsing, less if you just want to grab something quick.