Cullen Harbour Beach

The beach at Cullen is one of those stretches of Aberdeenshire coast that rewards you for leaving the main road. Golden sand curves between rocky outcrops, backed by a proper Victorian viaduct that's as much a landmark as the beach itself. It's a working harbour at one end, which means you get actual character rather than just a generic seaside postcard - fishing boats, weathered stone buildings, the smell of salt and diesel.

The walk down from the village takes a few minutes and isn't steep, making it manageable for families with younger children, though the rocky bits either side mean you need decent shoes. At high tide the beach shrinks considerably, so time it right. Low tide opens up pools worth exploring and firmer sand for walking.

It's the kind of place where you could easily spend two or three hours, particularly if you're into coastal photography or just sitting about with a flask. The viaduct is genuinely striking - worth a photo from the water's edge.

If you're basing yourself at one of the nearby caravan parks - Sandend Holidays is just 2.9 miles away and open April to October - this makes a solid half-day outing. Combine it with Banff itself for a bit more to do, though honestly Cullen Harbour is the highlight. Don't expect facilities beyond what's in the village; bring what you need. Go early in the day to avoid the worst of the wind that can whip across this stretch.