Monifieth, Angus, Scotland.

School summer holidays can be a real problem for working parents. The expense of childcare during this time of year can be prohibitive and finding someone willing and available to look after your offspring is not always easy. That's where grandparents can be useful. Our first stint this summer involves our granddaughter and it was decided to incorporate the first week at a suitable campsite.

Tayside Holiday Park is situated on Scotland’s east coast shoreline 7 miles from the city centre of Dundee in the village of Monifieth. The site consists of both static and touring units with adequate facilities that are kept very clean despite the normal battle with people that are incapable of clearing up after themselves. The site’s grounds are also very well laid out and also well tended. A good cycle/walking path follows the shoreline and frequent bus services are available from the Tesco supermarket just outside the camp. Monifieth has its own adventure play area that was very popular with both local and visiting children.

The shore at Monifieth. 

Monifieth is a residential town which as I have said has a Tesco’s for shopping and access to a regular bus service that take you in both directions along the coast line. 3 miles west of The Holiday Park is Dundee’s attractive seaside suburb of Broughty Ferry. Situated strategically on the banks of the Firth of Tay opposite the kingdom of Fife and the town of Tayport. It has a grand shopping centre and some very nice coffee shops. The harbour, which still exists, reminds us that this was once a busy fishing village and a ferry port. By the side of he harbour is Broughty Castle, built by Andrew 3rd Lord Grey in 1498 and reconstructed in 1861. It now forms a free tourist attraction and houses a museum that features displays on local history, arms and armour, seashore life and the former Dundee whaling industry. Also there is a play park just in front of the castle should you want to entertain the children for a couple of hours, it's grassy bank is ideal for your picnic.

Broughty Ferry has some very nice coffee shops.

Broughty Castle 

The Castles defences.

Various exhibits in the Castles museum.  

The Harbour.

Play area below the Castle. 

Broughty's Shoreline. 

Should you venture into Dundee itself then I would recommend the rather traditional and very ‘local’ ‘Popular Fish Bar and Restaurant’ in St Andrews Street for your fish supper. The town also has a swimming leisure complex called the Olympia, not cheap for a family but ideal on a wet day. Then there's Desperate Dan and Minnie the Minx and The Discovery Museum and plenty of shops to browse round.

Minnie and Dan out in Dundee's main Street.

Eleven miles east of Dundee is Carnoustie a seaside resort and residential town that’s probably best known for golf. The number 73 bus goes direct. It was decided to check out the local campsite along with the towns High Street and the facilities that are all seemingly based around the towns sea front leisure centre. All of which makes this ideal location to take another of our grandchildren for a week of their school holidays - more of which at a later date.

Adventure Play Ground

Skate Board Park.

Carnoustie Shore.