Cramond Village, Edinburgh

This is a wee picturesque 18th-century village on the shores of the Firth of Forth - it is eight kilometers (five miles) northwest of Edinburgh. Cramond sits on a slope at the mouth of the River Almond, tucked away in an idyllic sheltered inlet. Relax amidst the whitewashed houses, swans and handsome yachts. Visitors can unravel layers of local history by exploring a Roman fort and a medieval tower. Nose around the beach, which often yields Roman arrow heads, before being ferried in a tiny skiff across the river to the prettier beach beyond. Combine a visit to this serene spot with a trip to the Edwardian grandeur of Lauriston Castle.