Lunan Bay

Lunan Bay is a sweeping two-mile arc of golden sand on the Angus coast between Arbroath and Montrose, backed by dunes and overlooked by the red sandstone ruin of Red Castle. It is a wonderfully photogenic and quiet spot: big skies, a meandering river mouth, salmon nets, and the castle as a natural focal point. For drone work the wide open beach gives clean take-off ground and unobstructed sightlines out over the North Sea. One important caution: the Royal Marines base RM Condor near Arbroath lies roughly eight kilometres to the south-west, so you are outside its flight restriction zone here, but be aware of occasional low military helicopter traffic along the coast and keep your altitude sensible. Winds off the sea can be brisk and the beach is exposed, so a calm high-pressure morning is ideal. Ground-nesting and shore birds use the dunes and river margins, so launch from firm sand near the water rather than the vegetated dunes. Access is easy via a signed car park and a short walk over the dunes. Best at sunrise when the sun climbs straight out of the sea and lights the castle and the wet sand; low tide gives mirror-like reflections on the flats. Crowds are light outside summer weekends.