Alexander Ruxton Memorial Fountain

The Alexander Ruxton Memorial Fountain sits in Aberdeenshire, a modest Victorian monument that speaks volumes about 19th-century Scottish civic pride. It's the sort of thing you'd walk past without a second glance if you didn't know the story - a stone fountain topped with carved details, weathered by Highland weather but still standing with quiet dignity.

Ruxton was a local figure of some standing, and this memorial was erected in his honour, which tells you something about how different times were. These days we're less inclined to erect fountains for our civic leaders, but there's something rather lovely about stumbling across one. The fountain itself doesn't demand hours of your time - fifteen minutes covers it - but it's worth a stop if you're driving through the area between Arbroath and the wider Aberdeenshire countryside.

History buffs will find it interesting enough as a marker of the era, though there's not masses to see or do once you've had a look. Families won't find it particularly engaging unless they're keen on Victorian monuments. The real value is as a waypoint on a broader Aberdeenshire tour, especially if you're staying at somewhere like The Grange Glamping nearby - you could easily take in the fountain as part of a morning's exploring before heading back to the site.

Access appears to be free and unrestricted. Go anytime, really. It's the sort of place that rewards a curious eye rather than a packed itinerary.