Barevan Lifting Stone

Just outside Nairn in the Highlands, you'll find a lump of rock that's been a test of strength for centuries. The Barevan Lifting Stone sits waiting for someone daft or determined enough to heft it - and it's heavier than it looks. Locals have been trying their luck here for generations, and there's something genuinely compelling about the challenge. It's the sort of thing that gets visitors out of the car and actually doing something, rather than just photographing scenery from a layby.

The stone itself isn't much to look at on its own - no visitor centre, no cafe, no fuss. That's partly why it works. You either give it a go or you don't. Fair few people don't manage it, which is precisely the point. It's a proper test, not a theme park ride. Allow twenty minutes tops, unless you're intent on proving something to your mates.

Walkers heading through the area will find it a decent waypoint, and families with older kids who like a physical challenge will get a kick out of it. The Nairn area has Barrow Campsite just down the road if you're basing yourself here for a park holiday - decent spot for exploring the wider Highlands. The stone itself is free, and you can access it any time. Best visited when it's dry, mind you - wet stone and leather soles is a recipe for embarrassment.