Tayport

Two rail bridges dominate the skyline here - the Victorian marvel and its modern neighbour stretching across the Tay towards Dundee. Tayport sits at the mouth of Scotland's longest river, where the estuary opens into the North Sea and the Fife coastline takes on a wilder edge.

This former fishing village has kept its unpretentious charm despite the commuter traffic heading to Dundee. The harbour area still feels properly maritime, though these days it's more likely to host sailing dinghies than fishing boats. Walking the shoreline, you'll spot seals hauled out on the sandbanks when the tide's right.

Kinshaldy Beach stretches for miles to the east - a proper expanse of sand backed by dunes and the Cast Wood. It's never crowded, even in summer. The beach connects to Tentsmuir Forest, where red deer roam between the Scots pines and you can walk for hours without seeing another soul.

St Andrews lies just eight miles south, but Tayport feels a world away from the tourist bustle. Instead, you've got the 333 Squadron Memorial commemorating wartime airmen, and the curious Mars Training Ship Memorial Cross marking where naval cadets once trained on a converted warship moored in the river.

Reaching Tayport couldn't be simpler - the railway line from Edinburgh terminates here, and the A92 coastal route brings drivers from Fife's other towns. Dundee's just across the water, accessible by the frequent rail service that uses the newer Tay crossing.

Staying at one of the nearby holiday parks like Tayport Links Caravan Park or Craigtoun Meadows puts you perfectly placed for exploring both sides of the Tay. You're close enough to nip into St Andrews for a round of golf, yet far enough from the crowds to enjoy proper peace.