Ferryden Hand Painted Stones

The beach at Ferryden, just outside Montrose, is scattered with hand-painted stones in shades of blue, red, yellow and white. Someone's been out here with a brush and imagination, turning ordinary pebbles into cheerful little artworks. There's no formal gallery or visitor centre - it's just locals and passing tourists adding to the collection, leaving their own painted stones behind for others to find.

It's a lovely spot if you're already walking the beach, which you will be if you're staying at St Cyrus Holiday Park or The Grange Glamping nearby. The stones make for decent photos, and kids often enjoy the scavenger hunt aspect of spotting painted ones among the regular pebbles. Don't expect a major attraction though - this is more of a charming detour than a destination in itself. The real draw is the beach walk itself, which stretches properly if you want it to.

Go when the tide's out if you want the best chance of spotting stones without them being submerged. It costs nothing, takes as little or as long as you fancy, and ties in well with a wider coastal ramble around Montrose. If your holiday park is within striking distance, it's worth the walk. Just don't arrive expecting anything more than what it is - a community art project on shale, nothing more.