Bellie Kirk

The ruins of Bellie Kirk sit quietly on the outskirts of Keith, a modest stone structure that's seen better centuries. What draws you here is less the building itself - it's fragmentary, honestly - and more the sense of standing where people have worshipped for hundreds of years. The Kirk dates back to medieval times, and even in its current state, there's something affecting about the weathered walls and the graveyard that surrounds it.

It's a walker's stop rather than a destination in itself. You'll spend twenty minutes here, maybe thirty if you're into old graveyards and reading inscriptions. The setting is peaceful enough, and it makes a natural point on a longer ramble through Aberdeenshire's quieter corners. Not one for keeping children entertained for long, unless they're the sort who like wandering about churchyards.

No admission fee - you can wander round freely. The real appeal emerges when you're staying at one of the nearby holiday parks. Cairnty Lodges is closest at four miles, while Hillhead Hideaways (five miles) and Greencraig Pods (six miles) both offer better bases if you want comfort with your countryside exploring. From any of these, Bellie Kirk works as part of a broader day out through the Highlands rather than the main event. Pair it with a walk along the River Isla or a visit to Keith's modest high street, and it slots in nicely.