Links Port Seton

The stretch of coast near Prestonpans pulls in plenty of dog walkers and birdwatchers, and Links Port Seton is exactly why. This nature reserve sits right on the Firth of Forth shoreline, a proper working bit of East Lothian coastline where you'll spot terns diving for fish and waders picking over the shingle if you time it right.

It's not a manicured spot - there are pools, rough grassland, and beach that gets hammered by the North Sea. That's rather the point. The habitat here supports breeding birds and migrants passing through, so spring and autumn are genuinely good times to visit with binoculars. Summer's decent too, though less dramatic. You can walk straight along the shore and loop back inland through the reserve, taking a couple of hours or just popping down for twenty minutes. Free to access, no facilities to speak of, which keeps it from getting rammed.

Families with older kids will get something from it, especially if they're into spotting birds or rock pools. Little ones might find it a bit sparse without a formal playground or cafe. The Haven Seton Sands Holiday Village sits just half a mile away, so if you're staying there with a caravan or chalet, this becomes your morning dog walk rather than a destination in itself.

Best visited on a clear day with the wind not directly off the water - you'll appreciate the Forth views properly then. It won't take your breath away, but it's exactly what a working coastal nature reserve should be.