The coastal town of Monntrose promises sandy beaches and a wealth of wildlife.
North of Dundee, lying along the Angus coast on the way to Aberdeen, Montrose is an attractive small town that is well worth a visit. The pretty town centre, with its narrow closes and hidden courtyards, is worth a wander around and the wide sandy beach provides the perfect setting for a leisurely stroll. Montrose is also a top destination for wildlife watchers. The town sits on the edge of the Montrose Basin, a nature reserve and haven for wildfowl and wading birds. Further north, the cliffs of St. Cyrus National Nature Reserve are summertime home to a bustling colony of seabirds.
The small town is steeped in history, which you can delve into by visiting the Montrose Museum and following the Montrose Heritage Trail. Also of interest is the historic Georgian country home, House of Dun, next to Montrose Basin, which has sprawling grounds and gardens to explore. A stone’s throw from Montrose Beach, South Links Holiday Park has pitches for tents, caravans and motorhomes.
The village of St Cyrus is home to the St Cyrus National Nature Reserve, which, as well as its seabird-filled cliffs, is known for its flower-rich grasslands and beach. It’s an attractive year-round spot for long walks and wildlife spotting. A 10-minute drive north of the reserve, Miltonhaven Seaside Caravan Park has pitches for tourers and tents.
A 10-minute drive south of Montrose, Lunan Bay is a beautiful stretch of golden beach that is a favourite of swimmers, sunbathers, surfers, windsurfers and horse riders. It’s one of the east coast’s best beaches. Next to the beach, Lunan Bay Campsite has grass pitches for caravans, motorhomes and tents.
For making the most of the long days, and enjoying (with luck) some sunny weather, visiting in spring or summer is ideal. Summer is also the best time to spot seabirds and, possibly, dolphins and whales. While this is peak season, especially during the school summer holidays in July and August, crowds are rarely an issue in this relatively undiscovered part of Scotland. Winters tend to be grey, wet and short (the sun sets around 4 p.m. in winter).