August is here, and with the end of summer in sight, the Daily Record has named Gullane in East Lothian the best seaside town in Scotland to visit this month. The team weighed up beaches from Lunan Bay in Angus to Red Point Beach near Gairloch before settling on Gullane, which sits on the southern shore of the Firth of Forth around 20 miles from Edinburgh.
Gullane is home to the award-winning, easily accessible Gullane Bents beach, and the Daily Record says if visitors have to choose one beach in Scotland before summer ends, it should be this one. Supporters can vote for Gullane in the newspaper's poll to find the best seaside town in the UK.
Food and drink
Before heading to the sand, there are plenty of cafés and pubs in Gullane to fuel up on a full meal or just an ice cream. The Bonnie Badger serves light bites and hearty meals throughout the day, while Imma's Gelato has a large selection of flavours including Sicilian pistachio, cookies and cream, Amarena cherry ripple, and white chocolate.
The beach
Gullane Bents is the main event. The car park has 650 spaces, and it is a short walk from there to the spectacular sandy beach with views over the Firth of Forth. It is one of the best beaches in Scotland for a family day out, with opportunities for sandcastle building, rock-pooling, windsurfing and kitesurfing, as well as sunbathing and swimming.
Things to see and do
Beyond the beach, the Archerfield Walled Garden features a Fairy Trail with willow structures, sculptures and a swing. Golf enthusiasts can try the Gullane Golf Club, which has three links courses with views. If the weather does not cooperate, Fidra Fine Art gallery showcases work by Scottish artists on a rolling exhibition schedule, and visitors can browse shops such as the Cherish Emporium and Secret Boutique.
What does it cost?
Parking at Gullane Bents costs £3 a day, with the ticket valid at any coastal car park in the region throughout the day. Toilets, changing places, baby changing facilities and showers are freely accessible. A gelato cone from Imma's costs as little as £2.95, with an extra 50p for a flake or fudge. A pint of draught beer at The Bonnie Badger is around £5.95, and a night's stay at the venue in August is listed at £259 through Booking.com.
UK-wide shortlist
The UK-wide shortlist of seaside towns includes Tenby, Wales; Falmouth, Cornwall; Torquay, Devon; Clevedon, Lincolnshire; Amble, Northumberland; Scarborough, Yorkshire; Southport, Merseyside; Portstewart, County Derry; Folkestone, Kent; Leigh-on-Sea, Essex; Skegness, Lincolnshire; Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk; Blackpool, Lancashire; Lyme Regis, Dorset; and Clevedon, Somerset.
