Author Archives: manonabeach

About manonabeach

On a beach…welcome to manonabeach.com, where I’ll regularly add video of my beach visits, so you can enjoy a flavour of the beach, even when you’re not there.

Balmedie beach

Season: summer

It was the weekend at Balmedie. The beach was full of visitors and locals, enjoying a warm, bright day at the seaside. The ebb tide left plenty of room for everyone and many families played in the extensive dunes behind the beach, with children running down their sandy flanks. There are good facilities here, with plenty of parking and a kiosk serving ice creams and drinks.

What the beach means to Kasia and Daniel.

A view from the dunes.

Season: spring

This is one of Scotland’s longest beaches, stretching fourteen miles north from the mouth of the River Don in Aberdeen. Access to the beach is easiest about eight miles north of Aberdeen, where there’s a handy car park, picnic area and play park. Balmedie beach is flat and sandy, with dunes to the rear of the beach. It holds a Seaside Award and is family friendly, a haven for wildlife and a great tonic away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

One of many beaches for Mhairi and Iain.

Spey Bay

Season: spring

Spey Bay in Moray has the largest shingle beach in Scotland, with a diverse habitat of vegetation, salt marshes and reed beds. There is a history of intensive salmon fishing. Nowadays, it’s a wildlife paradise. You can often spot bottlenose dolphins, either out at sea or feeding at the mouth of the River Spey. Located just by the beach is The Scottish Dolphin Centre, their mission being to raise awareness of whales and dolphins and efforts to protect them. It’s also a haven for breeding birds, including terns and there is a rich diversity of plants and flora to enjoy, as well as the butterflies they attract.

The Scottish Wildlife Trust – “The iconic river Spey flows through the centre of the reserve. On the Kingston side is an enjoyable 2-mile circular walk which leads along the coast and back through peaceful woodland and grassland. From the Tugnet side you can enjoy a walk along the Speyside Way to the viaduct and back through alder woodland. Look out for seals, otters, deer, terns, waders and ospreys.”

My chat with Mary, from the Scottish Dolphin Centre.

A wide vista at Spey Bay.

Lower Largo beach

Season: summer

Bright sunshine and a warm south westerly wind greeted me for this seasonal visit. Crowds of visitors were enjoying the beach and the scenic village backdrop. A high tide filled the small harbour, with boats bobbing at their moorings. This part of the East Neuk of Fife has history (Alexander Selkirk, who inspired Robinson Crusoe, is commemorated here), charm and a fine strand of powdery sand.

An appreciation of the elements by the beach.

Season: winter

Lower Largo is a charming coastal village with a fine beach and a historical twist. The village was traditionally a base for herring fishermen, then net makers, but is now a successful holiday destination. There’s a friendly, characterful ambiance about Lower Largo, which is both welcoming and engaging to visitors.

What the beach means to Elanne.

A view from the harbour wall at Lower Largo.