Montrose (4.5 miles) has a few supermarkets to stock up at, as well as plenty of interesting shops to explore and a range of cafés, pubs and restaurants.

Those with an interest in aviation will enjoy a visit to see the interesting exhibits and display of planes at the Montrose Air Station Heritage Centre. Take the time to visit the room at the back of the shop that has been set up as a fascinating replica of how a 1940s sitting room would have looked.

There is the choice of two excellent 18 hole golf courses in Montrose that both welcome visitors. The Broomfield Course is great for children and beginners and the undulating Medal Course provides more of a challenge for experienced players.

Montrose has a long stretch of sandy beach to walk along when the tide is out, with a raised viewing platform that allows for a lovely panoramic view and a pitch and putt and a play area that kids are sure to love. Further round the coast at the St Cyrus National Nature Reserve (7.5 miles) is a further lovely expanse of beach where seals can often be seen and dolphins and whales have been spotted.

The Montrose Basin is a huge tidal basin that the River South Esk flows into, forming a unique ecosystem that is home to thousands of migratory birds including wintering geese, sand martins, oyster catchers, and eider ducks.

Just under an hour’s drive away is the Deeside Activity Park (33.5 miles) where there are lots of activities to try out from clay pigeon shooting, archery and axe throwing to quad biking, digger manoeuvring and off road driving.