63 ABD CR

The Roman marching camp at Normandykes sits on open moorland just outside Seaton, and it's one of those sites where you really need to know what you're looking at to get the most from it. What you're standing in is a 2,000-year-old military installation - the defensive ditches and ramparts are still visible if you know where to look, though they're subtle compared to more famous Roman sites down south.

The appeal here is archaeological rather than showy. There are no reconstructions, no visitor centre with a café, just the bones of what was once a temporary camp used during the Roman campaigns in Scotland. It's the sort of place that speaks to people who actually care about how the Romans moved through Britain, or who want something quieter than the tourist trail. Families with young children might find it underwhelming - it's essentially a field with earthworks - but anyone interested in history will find the setting on the Aberdeenshire landscape genuinely atmospheric.

Access appears to be free and unrestricted, though there's nothing on-site to tell you this is significant. Allow an hour if you're genuinely interested; twenty minutes if you're just passing through. The nearest accommodation is Seaview Caravan Park near Seaton, which is well-positioned for exploring this corner of the northeast. Combine it with other Roman remains in the area if you're making a proper day of it, but don't come here expecting dramatic ruins. Come for the quietness and the knowledge that you're walking ground where legions once camped.