Portobello Promenade View

The stretch of coast at Portobello, just east of Musselburgh, gives you proper views across the Firth of Forth - and on a clear day you can pick out the bridges and beyond. It's a nature reserve rather than a manicured spot, which means rough grassland, wild scrub, and the kind of beach that shifts with the seasons.

You're here for the birds mainly. Waders, terns, the odd seal hauled out on the rocks if you're lucky. Walkers get a decent coastal path that doesn't demand much - flat enough for most fitness levels, though the wind can be bracing. The light in late afternoon is genuinely good for photographs, with the water turning silver-grey against the grass.

It works well alongside a stay at Drummohr Camping & Glamping Site, a short drive inland. If you've got kids, they'll be bored within an hour unless they're into rock-pooling or spotting birds through binoculars. Adults who like to stand and stare at horizons, or walkers wanting a straightforward coastal route, will find it worthwhile.

Free to access, and you can do the main stretch in about an hour at an easy pace. Best visited in spring when the migrating birds are moving through, though it's decent enough year-round. The proximity to Musselburgh means you can grab coffee or lunch in town if you need it. Don't expect drama - it's understated, which is rather the point.