Aberlady Bay, East Lothian, Scotland

Little over a half an hour drive away from Edinburgh lies the half marshland, half sandpit nature reserve that is Aberlady Bay. Conveniently, at its start, just off the A198, there is a small free car park for you to pitch your vehicle as base camp before embarking on your stroll up to the headland.

This calm and quiet oasis is perfect for a long mind clearing walk – unless you’re a dog, in which case you are not allowed! Council’s orders I’m afraid my furry friends. Maybe something to do with protecting the resident fauna. Or maybe there was some kind of previous “owners not picking up their dog’s poo pandemic”. Either way, if you can give off the appearance of seeming human, not being too hairy, and walking on two legs you should be safe. Or, if you’re Paris Hilton and keep a small kennel of chihuahua’s in your handbag that might also circumvent the all-powerful might of the council.

Anyhow, embarking upon the trail one is immediately presented with a charming and useful narrow wooden bridge. Unless you fancy taking the under route through the saltmarsh. Atop these rickety planks there is a clear view of the bay beyond and Fife on the other side. That is, of course, when Scotland is not deciding to be so misty that even the Hubble space telescope would find its sight impaired.

As one trundles on beyond the well positioned bridge there is much to politely marvel at. A small bit of woodland arches over the walking path before fading away to reveal a toy sized loch on the left and a merry golf course on the right. And ahead a vast expanse of heathland presents itself. All in all it makes for a calming panoramic view as the local birdlife bathing in the mini loch treat you to the soundtrack of their quacking, cooing and calling.

Beyond the heathland and before the coastline a thick belt of duneland paints the scene gold with green swathes of marram grass sprouting around too. Be careful not to let your shoes turn into sandbags as you follow this sandy part of the path – the danger is great! Just before hitting the beach a small mountain range of sand dunes allows for a nice view back on the terrain of all you’ve walked through as well as the sea on the other side.

Whilst you are free to walk up and down the beach it is also eminently sittable – just make sure to be away from the breeze of the naked beach and nestle yourself into the side of the mini dunes like a baby mole. If your timings are in sync on a clear enough day the sun sets in an ideal position in front and slightly to the left as you look out to sea from your shoreline shelf in the dunes. With the dearth of boat activity on the sea beyond and the scarcity of humans – such as urbanites, hippies, and gypsies – populating the reserve it makes for a relaxingly natural scene.

Just remember to take a torchlight for the walk back to the carpark from there to be certain of successfully finding your way back. Unless of course you have ambitions on becoming Scotland’s next mythic phenomenon – “the Monster of Aberlady Bay”.