White Port

White Port is a modest shingle beach tucked into the Solway coast near Dalbeattie, and it's the sort of place you stumble upon rather than plan for. The beach itself is small - perhaps 200 metres of grey stones sloping into the Firth - but it has genuine appeal if you catch the light right and the tide's out properly. You get decent views across to the English side of the Solway, and on clear days the horizon stretches far enough to make you feel like you've gone somewhere.

It's best suited to families with younger kids or anyone after a quiet spot for a walk and a paddle. Don't expect golden sand or swimming pools - this is functional, working coastline with an industrial past. The shingle can be brutal on bare feet, and the water's cold even in July. What it does offer is solitude. You won't fight crowds here, even in summer.

There's no facilities to speak of, so bring what you need from Dalbeattie. Allow 45 minutes to an hour for a proper mooch about. Visit on a calm day ideally - wind whips across this stretch and can make it feel rather bleak. If you're staying at any of the caravan parks scattered nearby - Castle Point is closest at just over a mile - White Port makes an easy evening detour. It won't be the highlight of your holiday, but it's well worth knowing about for a quiet change of scenery.