Stonehaven, Gasworks

Explorer Tom Stonehaven Beach curves along the town like the sea drew a smile and then filled it with sand, shingle and a bit of North Sea attitude. Take the boardwalk above the bay and you can admire the waves without immediately having to negotiate with every cold, rounded stone under your feet. Aberdeenshire Council describes Stonehaven Carron and Stonehaven Cowie as the town's two sand-and-shingle beaches, each reached by a path and boardwalk. The Carron side faces east across the bay; Cowie is farther north, past the burn. The shore links easily with the town, so a beach wander can become a harbour walk without needing an expedition committee. The council's walking route follows the boardwalk towards the old pier and Tolbooth Museum, with chances to watch for seabirds, seals or dolphins offshore. Those visitors keep their own schedule, naturally. Public paths and boardwalks make the shore approachable, but the beach itself is uneven shingle mixed with sand. Check tide and weather before going onto the foreshore, especially if you plan to linger or walk near the water. The council lists a Beach Promenade car park, and its town walking map gives a simple route from Market Square to the seafront. Nothing here requires a booking; only your shoes and your sense of timing need to be up to the job. On a bright day, the bay can look almost obedient. Then a wave arrives to remind you who owns the horizon. Walk the boardwalk, drop down where the public path allows, and listen to the stones rattle their applause as the sea withdraws.