Ω ABD CR

The remains of a Roman fort sit quietly on the outskirts of Seaton, unremarkable at first glance but genuinely fascinating if you take time to read the ground. What you're looking at are the ditches and earthworks of a proper military installation - the kind of place where legionaries were stationed nearly two thousand years ago to keep an eye on the troublesome tribes of northern Britain.

You won't find much standing up. That's the reality of visiting most Roman sites in Scotland - the stones were robbed centuries ago for local building projects. But the layout is still legible if you know what you're looking at. The fort commander's headquarters, the barracks lines, the defensive ditches - they're all there in the grass. Bring a decent guide or download information beforehand, because there's bugger all signage on site.

History enthusiasts and archaeology bores will find it properly interesting. Kids under twelve will probably be underwhelmed unless they're already keen on Romans. Allow an hour if you want to walk the perimeter and actually understand the layout. Less if you're just passing through.

If you're based at Seaview Caravan Park a couple of miles away, it's worth tacking on to a broader Aberdeen area visit. It won't make your trip on its own, but combined with the city's museums and other coastal walks, it rounds out a decent picture of what this part of Scotland was like in the deep past.