Musselburgh Lagoons

The lagoons sit on Musselburgh's eastern edge, a proper surprise if you're expecting the usual seaside town fare. What you get is a series of shallow pools separated by grassy banks - former industrial land that's been left to nature, and all the better for it. Birdwatchers reckon it's one of East Lothian's best spots, especially in winter when migrating wildfowl pack in. The walking is gentle, nothing strenuous, and you can potter around the perimeter in about an hour if you're not stopping to stare at mallards.

It's free, which helps, and there's a certain rawness to it that you won't find at manicured reserves. Families with young kids will manage fine on the main paths, though it's not a "look, a playground" kind of attraction - you need to be interested in what's actually there. If you've got binoculars and patience, you'll see grebes, shovelers, and on a good day, rarer visitors. The light in late afternoon is genuinely lovely, turning the water grey-gold.

If you're camping at Drummohr, just down the road, this is an easy add-on to your morning. Haven Seton Sands, four miles west, gives you a bigger base for a East Lothian break, and the lagoons work well as a quieter counterpoint to a busier holiday. Go on a weekday if you can - weekends bring dog walkers and it loses some of its stillness. Winter and spring are best for birds; summer it's less dramatic but still worth a wander.