Holyrood Park

The volcanic hills rising behind Kinghorn catch you completely off guard. Holyrood Park is one of those places that rewards you for getting out of the car and actually walking, rather than just driving past. You're looking at genuinely wild countryside - moorland, rough grassland, and that distinctive craggy skyline that tells you this land was shaped by something far more dramatic than time alone.

Most visitors come for the walking. The tracks wind up through bracken and heather, past granite outcrops, with views that open up suddenly as you gain height. It's not mountaineering - the trails are manageable - but it's proper hill walking with real views, not a genteel stroll. Children will find it genuinely exciting rather than tedious, especially if you're aiming for one of the higher points.

History buffs will get something out of it too. The geology alone is fascinating if you know what you're looking at, and the landscape has that distinctive volcanic quality that makes you feel like you're seeing something ancient.

There's no visitor centre nonsense or entry fees to worry about, which is refreshing. Give yourself a solid couple of hours if you want to properly explore rather than dash around. The weather up there changes fast - bring a windproof even when it looks calm below.

If you're based at Drummohr Camping & Glamping Site just down the road, this is exactly the sort of spot that justifies a park holiday in East Lothian. Real landscape, actual walking, no queues.