Stonehaven is a lively Aberdeenshire harbour town famous for its Hogmanay fireball ceremony and — less gloriously — the deep-fried Mars bar. The coastal walking north and south from the town is outstanding, with Dunnottar Castle — one of Scotland’s most spectacularly sited fortresses — perched on a headland just a mile south.

A characterful harbour town with excellent fish and chips, a good range of accommodation and direct train access from Aberdeen, Stonehaven makes an excellent coastal walking base for the dramatic Kincardineshire cliffs.