1 BRODIE CASTLE,
Forres, Moray 0844 4932156
www.nts.org.uk

Come rain or shine, the swans, mallards and tufted ducks on the pond at Brodie Castle are always happy to relieve you of any stale bread. You don't even have to pay the entrance fee for the Moray castle as the pond has its own tiny car park. If it's wet and you want to sit and watch the birds then visit one of the hides.

2 BROUGHTY FERRY
www.cometobroughty.co.uk

With more swans than you can shake a crust at - plus gulls and mallards - Broughty Ferry is top of the seaside duck-feeding list. The best spot is on Beach Crescent, where the swans usually gather on the small strip of shoreline between the jetty and harbour wall. The nearby chip shop and ice-cream parlour add to the magic.

The River Esk, which runs through Musselburgh, is teeming with bird life. For superior duck-feeding, shy away from the car park at Eskside East - instead, opt for a vantage point on the footbridge further downstream, where you can at least try to avoid some of the seagulls. This summer, the local mallards, swans, Canada geese and greylag geese have been joined by a noisy white goose, known to some as "Eric".

4 ST ANDREWS
, Fife
www.visit-standrews.co.uk

A quiet refuge for many students down the years, the Kinnesburn, which flows through St Andrews, offers a chance for some contemplative duck-feeding. When you reach the foot of Queen's Gardens, cross Queen's Terrace and head down the "travellator" steps towards Kinnesburn Road. Mallards gather around the footbridge, ever hopeful of a spare slice.

5 FORRES,
Moray
www.forresweb.net

The Duck Pond in Forres has been a favourite with generations of local children. The town has enjoyed success in both the Scotland in Bloom and Britain in Bloom competition since the 1970s. It's well worth having a wonder around Grant Park, complete with its Sunken Garden and Rose Garden.