THREE Scottish seaside towns have been named on a list of the "coolest, prettiest and quirkiest" in the UK.
Discussing the list, which includes places like Brighton and St Ives, Time Out magazine said: "The UK really does boast quite a lot of coastline – we’re an island, after all – and seeing every little lighthouse, cliff collection, sweeping bay and dramatic headland would be no walk on the beach. That’s not even all our coasts have to offer.
"Our shores are decorated with a vast number of marvellous coastal settlements, from the characterful fishing villages of Wales and the upmarket enclaves of Cornwall to the pulsing party towns of the Sussex coast.
"Leave those clichés of soggy chips, rainy weather and nasty seagulls at home – our handpicked roundup of the country’s coolest and prettiest seaside towns includes knock-out restaurants and cutting-edge museums, as well as plenty of sandy walks for the sunniest days of the year."
%image('18076680', type="article-full", alt="North Berwick was named the second 'coolest and prettiest' seaside town in the UK")
See the three Scottish seaside towns named among the 'coolest and prettiest' in the UK
North Berwick in East Lothian, Tobermory on the Isle of Mull and Cromarty in the Highlands were the Scottish seaside towns named among the "coolest, prettiest and quirkiest" in the UK.
Discussing North Berwick, Time Out said: "A swift 30 minutes train journey from Edinburgh city centre, it's easy to see why North Berwick was recently crowned one of the best places to live in the country by the Sunday Times. But it's not too shabby a place to visit, either – as a day trip from the Scottish capital or for a longer, slower break.
"Not only are the beaches bliss – vast stretches of sand are dotted with glistening rock pools and happy dogs let off the lead – the high street boasts a number of charming cafés, gift shops, art galleries and eateries.
"Don't miss Orange Moon, a record store in the upstairs of Steampunk Coffee, and the Scottish Seabird Centre, where you can hop on a tour to Bass Rock to visit a thriving gannet colony."
%image('16853360', type="article-full", alt="Tobermory was the setting of the hit BBC children's show Balamory")
Tobermory was ranked number 12 on the list with the publication telling readers: "Anyone who happened to watch a lot of British kids’ TV in the early noughties will recognise Tobermory’s harbourfront as the setting of CBeebies hit Balamory.
"Aside from its pre-school legacy, this tiny town has huge charm, a local puffin population and a rich history of producing magical malt whiskies.
"Once you’ve got an eyeful of the famous rainbow cottages by the harbour, stroll out to the pretty lighthouse at Rubha nan Gall, the megalithic Standing Stones at Baliscate or head out on a boat trip from the harbour to spot minke whales and basking sharks.
"When it comes to trad Scottish music, Tobar – Mull’s art centre – puts on good knees-up. Be sure to pick up a fish supper beforehand from the famous van on the pier."
%image('18076682', type="article-full", alt="North Berwick has great views of the Bass Rock")
And finally, Cromarty in the Scottish Highlands was dubbed an "old-time fishing town straight out of a fairy tale".
Discussing the location, the magazine said: "Perched on the tip of the Black Isle – a sea-scuffed Highland peninsula – it’s surrounded by pink-tinged beaches, waterfalls with names like Fairy Glen and mysterious Clootie Wells, where people hang up rags as part of an ancient Celtic tradition.
"Cromarty’s section of the bay is lined with eighteenth-century fisherman’s cottages and clusters of historic buildings in the traditional Highland vernacular, all whitewashed walls and black window frames.
"Look out for East Church, with its elegant clear-glazed windows, and Hugh Miller’s Cottage, a quaint thatched museum dedicated to a local geologist.
"Then head to Burnside Place’s converted eighteenth-century brewery, where the Cromarty Brewing Company serves up suds and Cromarty Arts Trust holds spoken-word nights."
