With the good weather set to return over the next week or two (we hope) it could be the perfect excuse to escape the bustling city or big town life and head to the seaside.
Scotland is blessed with over 11,600 miles of coastland and that means there are plenty of places to go to where you can enjoy the sights and sounds of the sea. From lengthy walks on the beach to fish tea for dinner it's a bit of a tradition and the ideal way to get out and see Scotland.
But where should you go for the best day out? We've picked out some incredible spots by the sea from colourful towns to picturesque villages where you should head when the weather is good.
Oban, Argyll
Home to some of the best seafood spots around, including the Oban Seafood Hut, which food critic Jay Rayner recently picked out as one of his favourite seaside eateries, there's lots to do in Oban. Don't forget to make your way up to McCaig's Tower (also known as his folly) to get some truly incredible views of the bay.
This popular tourist town was recently named as one of the UK's most beautiful escapes and the most Instagrammable in Scotland.
Crovie, Aberdeenshire
One of the most unique coastal villages you'll find in the UK, never mind Scotland, Crovie is pressed up against an Aberdeenshire cliff on a narrow ledge, making for an imposing view before you even enter the area itself.
A former fishing village, it's now become a haven for tourists with people flocking from all over the UK to marvel at its distinctive layout and location.
Elie, Fife
Elie has an excellent beach and stunning views out to the North Sea and Fife Coastal Path to Bass Rock.
It's the ideal place to hit the sand before grabbing a tasty pub lunch in the excellent beer garden at the Ship Inn – one of the best-loved hotels in Fife.
Tobermory, Isle of Mull
The vibrant colours of the buildings in this wonderful little town (the inspiration for the children's TV show Balamory) are matched only by the vibrant colours of the coastal scenery that surrounds the town.
A magical place on the Isle of Mull – which is worth exploring too – it's also one of the best places in Scotland to enjoy the freshest seafood around, meaning if you are a foodie it doesn't get much better than this.
Pittenweem, Fife
Recently named the top trending hidden gem for 2022, this charming little fishing village in the East Neuk of Fife is filled with bags of character.
Though there are fewer fisher boats now it is still easily one of the best places in Scotland to get fish and chips, thanks to its exciting family-run chippies.
Speaking of which, once you've grabbed your prize supper head down to the harbour for the ideal place to watch the sunset, be warned though, you might need to coorie in with your favourite person as you eat.
Largs, Ayrshire
A favourite of Glaswegians for generations, it's the best place to head for an ice cream or a fish tea (hello Nardini's) on a warm day, with plenty of your traditional seaside attractions such as a small fun fair and plenty of arcades to keep even the fussiest of children happy.
North Berwick, East Lothian
North Berwick recently topped the list of the top 10 most tranquil towns in the UK, with the seaside town in East Lothian scoring highly due to its peaceful location and stunning views.
St Abbs, Berwickshire
This small fishing village on the Berwickshire coast is not only stunning to look at, but it also provided the backdrop for some famous blockbuster movies.
Most recently, it doubled as New Asgard in Avengers: Endgame, where it played host to the mighty Thor and fan favourite Korg, and yes there was even a bottle of Irn-Bru involved.
Colonsay
One of the more remote Hebridean islands, Colonsay is also one of the smaller ones, but there are few better places to be when the sun is out.
Dubbed Scotland's 'sunshine island', Colonsay offers everything from golden beaches and aquamarine waters to scenic walks and even a gin lover's retreat.
Portsoy, Aberdeenshire
Found on the beautiful Moray coast, Portsoy is a traditional harbour town with plenty of charm. With a stone dock that dates back to the 19th century, it's filled with plenty of interesting features to pick out as you take a stroll around its gorgeous buildings.
Every June it hosts the Scottish Traditional Boat Festival and we can't recommend the local speciality, Portsoy ice cream, enough.
Don't miss the top culture and heritage stories from around Scotland. Sign up to our twice weekly Scotland Now newsletter here.
READ MORE:
Three bedroom property goes up for sale on Scotland's 'most beautiful street'
The one takeaway the Queen always gets when she stays in Scotland
If you have these surnames you could be entitled to a fortune in unclaimed estates in Scotland
