Montrose Swimming Pool and Sports Centre

The leisure centre in Montrose is the sort of place you'd take the kids on a rainy Scottish afternoon, and frankly, they won't complain. It's got an indoor pool, a learner pool, and a decent gym setup - nothing fancy, but everything works and the water's warm enough that even reluctant swimmers stop moaning after five minutes.

The main draw here is the pool itself. It's Olympic-length, which sounds grander than it actually is, but the kids' sessions are well-run and the shallow end is genuinely shallow. There's also a spa pool if you fancy a bit of post-swim lounging, though expect it to be crowded during school holidays. The changing facilities are fine - nothing to write home about, but they're clean and functional.

Who'll get the most from it? Families, obviously, especially those with young swimmers needing proper tuition. Serious gym users might find the equipment a bit dated, but locals clearly make good use of it. If you're staying at St Cyrus Holiday Park just down the road, it's handy for a wet-weather day or a morning swim before heading to the beach.

Allow an hour or two if you're just swimming, longer if you're doing classes. Check ahead for session times and admissions costs - it's council-run, so prices are reasonable but do vary. The location next to Montrose town centre means parking's never a hassle.