Buckie

The harbour bells ring out across Buckie Bay, cutting through the salt spray and seagull cries that define this working fishing port. This isn't some sanitised coastal resort - it's a proper fishing town where the boats still come in heavy with the day's catch, and the smell of diesel and brine hangs in the air around the old harbour.

Buckie sits along the dramatic Moray Firth coastline, where dramatic cliffs give way to long stretches of beach. The town itself sprawls inland from its harbour heart, but it's the surrounding landscape that really impresses. Walk east and you'll hit Findochty, a smaller fishing village that feels frozen in time, complete with its own war memorial and tight-knit community centered around the Methodist church. Head west towards Cullen and you're into serious walking country - the Bin of Cullen offers cracking views back along the coast on a clear day.

For a proper coastal ramble, the clifftop paths between Buckie and neighbouring villages like Findochty are well worth the effort. The Yellow Pencil gallery in nearby Deskford shows local artists' work if you fancy something cultural between beach walks. Golf enthusiasts should make time for Strathlene Golf Club, which takes full advantage of the coastal setting.

Getting here is straightforward enough - the A98 runs right through town, connecting to the A96 for Aberdeen or Inverness. The nearest rail station is actually in Keith, about 20 minutes inland.

Staying at one of the holiday parks around Buckie makes perfect sense for exploring this stretch of the Moray coast. You're well-placed for day trips to Elgin's cathedral ruins or the whisky trail around Speyside, while having easy access to some of Scotland's most unspoilt fishing communities.