Meadows Sports Centre

The Meadows Sports Centre sits just outside Ellon and serves as the beating heart of local athletics in Aberdeenshire. It's a proper community facility - the sort of place where you'll find everything from swimming pools to tennis courts, badminton halls to a gym that actually gets used by people who live here rather than tourists passing through.

If you're staying at Ythan Valley Campsite and the kids need burning out, this is genuinely useful. A couple of hours swimming sorts most families, and the outdoor courts give decent scope if the weather holds. It's not fancy - no Instagram moments or architectural stunts - but it works. The staff know what they're doing, facilities are maintained properly, and you won't feel like you're paying London prices for provincial amenities.

Unfortunately, the practical details are frustratingly thin on the ground. Opening hours aren't clearly published online, admission fees are vague, and there's no obvious website to check what's on any given day. You'll need to ring ahead or ask at your campsite - the folks at Ythan Valley will know the current setup and can tell you whether booking is required.

Honestly? It's worth knowing about if you need a rainy afternoon solution or want proper facilities rather than resort-style faffing about. But it's not a destination in itself. Use it as part of a broader Aberdeenshire trip, not a reason to come to the area.