Lighthouse

The lighthouse at Footdee is a proper working beacon that's been guiding ships into Aberdeen for over a century. You'll find it perched right on the rocky headland where the Dee estuary meets the North Sea - the walk down takes about ten minutes from the car park, and the wind can be fierce, so dress accordingly.

Once you're there, the views are genuinely spectacular. You get the whole sweep of Aberdeen's coastline stretching north, fishing boats bobbing in the harbour below, and on clear days you can see for miles. The lighthouse itself is operational, so you won't be going inside, but wandering around the headland is free and takes as long as you fancy. Kids quite like spotting the different ships and looking for seals in the water below.

Walkers will appreciate this spot more than casual tourists - there's proper coastal paths branching off in both directions if you want to extend the outing. Give yourself 45 minutes to an hour minimum to make the journey worthwhile. Avoid winter gales unless you're after a proper battering from the elements.

If you're staying at Seaview Caravan Park just down the road, this makes an easy half-morning excursion. The headland's exposed, mind - there's no shelter - so timing it for decent weather matters. Worth the trip, especially if you're already in the area.