Scotland's tourist trail usually runs through Edinburgh's Royal Mile, Glasgow's museums and the Highlands' lochs and castles. But along the Angus coast — a 40-mile stretch between Aberdeen and Dundee — sits Montrose, a seaside town of about 11,000 people that a tiny share of international visitors see and an unusually high share come back to. VisitScotland figures cited for the region suggest fewer than a quarter of international travellers make it to Angus, yet around 80% of all visitors return. It's easy to see why.

Montrose's story is a maritime one. It began as a market town and fishing settlement, grew into an industrial trading port, and its historic harbour still works today servicing North Sea oil. The town sits at the estuary of the South Esk river, which creates its best-known natural feature: Montrose Basin, a sheltered tidal basin that draws both fish and birds. The Scottish Wildlife Trust runs a reserve there where you can spot pink-footed geese, redshanks and ospreys.

The beach is the main draw for families. Montrose Beach runs for three miles, with firm golden sand that ranks among the best on the Angus shore. In summer people swim; year-round it's a good walking beach, with the path curving along dunes that separate the sand from the car park. Scurdie Ness Lighthouse — white and yellow — makes a good walk target further down the coast. For kids aged up to 12, there's a paddle pool and play area called the Seafront Splash, plus public toilets, picnic tables and a cafe at the beach pavilion.

Culture-wise, two spots cover the town's heritage. The House of Dun is a carefully maintained 18th-century laird's house with Georgian architecture and extensive gardens, and the Montrose Museum and Art Gallery holds maritime artefacts, archaeological finds and paintings by local artists. Both run family-friendly events and kid-focused displays.

Fishing is the other big hook. From the shore at Montrose Beach you can catch North Sea staples like cod, pollock and mackerel, and in the warm months, bass — try near the golf course where it meets the tall dunes. Recreational sea fishing from the shore in Scotland needs no licence, though there are exceptions: salmon fishing is tightly controlled, and some waterways have restrictions. For salmon specifically, privately owned Kinnaber Fishings on the North Esk offers bank fishing at a tidal spot where the river meets the sea. Most venues expect you to bring your own gear, so pack accordingly, and check Fisheries Management Scotland or Angling Scotland if you're unsure of the rules.

Getting there is simple. Montrose sits roughly halfway between Aberdeen and Dundee — 30 to 40 miles, about an hour by road from either — and it's a stop on the rail line from Edinburgh to Aberdeen, often called one of the UK's most scenic train journeys. That makes it an easy seaside add-on to a city trip, or a calmer alternative to committing a week to the North Coast 500. For travellers after beaches, birdlife and low-key fishing without the crowds, Montrose ticks the boxes.