Laurencekirk Viewpoint

There's a modest pull-off near Laurencekirk where you can actually see what all the fuss is about in this corner of Aberdeenshire. It's not dramatic - no soaring cliffs or alpine vistas - but on a clear day you get proper views across the Howe of the Mearns, the rolling farmland that stretches toward the North Sea. The viewpoint itself is straightforward: park up, step out, take in the landscape. Most people spend twenty minutes here, maybe thirty if they're the type to linger and actually look at what's in front of them.

Walkers get the most from this spot, especially those doing longer routes through the Highlands. It's a natural stopping point where you can catch your breath and get your bearings. Photographers will find it decent enough, though the light matters - early morning or late afternoon works better than midday glare. In winter the visibility can be grim, so spring through autumn is your window.

Free to visit, obviously. No facilities at the viewpoint itself, so don't expect toilets or a café. Montrose is the nearest proper town if you need anything.

If you're basing yourself at St Cyrus Holiday Park just three miles away, or Royal Arch Riverside Park a bit further on, this makes an easy detour on a walk around the area. It won't take long, but it's worth adding to your route rather than making a special journey. The views are honest rather than spectacular - which is precisely what you want from a Highland viewpoint.