Lady Kennedy’s Bath

A rocky inlet carved into the Aberdeenshire coastline near Stonehaven, Lady Kennedy's Bath is the sort of place locals know about and visitors stumble upon by accident. It's not a manicured attraction - more a natural stone pool formed where the sea meets the rocks, supposedly named after a 17th-century woman who bathed here. The walk down to it is straightforward enough, though the final stretch involves a bit of scrambling over boulders, so decent shoes are essential.

What you're really after here is the drama of the setting. The rocks are dark and moody, the water churns when the tide's coming in, and there's a genuine sense of wildness that you won't find at managed beauty spots. It's free and takes maybe forty minutes return trip from the car park, depending on your pace and how long you linger.

Walkers will get the most from this one, particularly anyone interested in the Aberdeenshire coastline beyond the honey-pot spots. It's not a destination that'll keep young children entertained for hours, but it makes a solid addition to a coastal ramble. If you're staying at Stonehaven Queen Elizabeth Park Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite or Upper Crawton Park, it's close enough for a morning outing. Wind can be brutal here, so pick a calm day if you can. Proper scenery, this.