Stonehaven

Fishing boats bob in the harbour while the ruins of Dunnottar Castle perch dramatically on clifftops just south of town. Stonehaven sits where the Carron Water meets the North Sea, a proper working harbour town that's managed to keep its character despite being just 15 miles from Aberdeen.

The town splits neatly into old and new. Down by the water, narrow streets wind past the Tolbooth Museum and traditional fish shops selling the finest haddock this side of Peterhead. Above, the Victorian new town spreads inland with wide streets and solid granite houses. Both have their charm, though the harbour area wins for atmosphere.

Walking the coastal path reveals why this stretch of Aberdeenshire coast draws visitors year-round. Carnmont Hill offers cracking views back over the town and out to sea, while the various woodland walks through Muirton Wood and Carron Wood provide shelter on blustery days. The cliffs here are properly dramatic - not the gentle rolling hills you might expect from Scotland's east coast.

Getting here couldn't be easier. The A90 runs right past, making it a straightforward drive from Aberdeen or Dundee. The railway station connects directly to both cities too, though having a car opens up the surrounding countryside properly.

Staying at one of the nearby parks makes perfect sense for exploring both Stonehaven itself and the wider region. You're close enough to nip into town for fresh fish and chips, yet positioned to explore the Mearns countryside and those spectacular coastal walks without the summer parking hassles that plague the town centre.