Montrose Golf Links

The golf course at Montrose sits right on the Angus coast, and it's proper links golf - the kind with gorse, rough grass, and the North Sea wind that'll test your nerve as much as your swing. Even if you don't play, the walk around the course on a clear day is magnificent, with views across the bay towards Stonehaven.

This is a championship-standard track that's been going since 1786, so it's got pedigree. The course runs to nearly 6,900 yards and doesn't go easy on you - the opening holes are brutally exposed, and the back nine demand straight hitting. Fair warning: it's not forgiving turf. Golfers who like proper challenges will rate it highly. High handicappers might find it humbling.

If you're staying at St Cyrus Holiday Park just down the coast, this is a natural stopping point. The drive takes about ten minutes. The clubhouse serves food and tea, and there's a decent range of facilities, though it's not some flashy resort course - it's functional and honest.

Non-golfers shouldn't write it off entirely. The coastal path access means you can wander the perimeter and soak in the landscape without paying green fees. The beach at Montrose itself is just beyond, so it pairs well with a seaside afternoon. Allow a few hours if you're playing eighteen holes, less if you're just stretching your legs and taking in the views.