Boyne Castle

The ruins of Boyne Castle sit quietly on the Aberdeenshire landscape, a few miles from Banff, looking rather like a Victorian architect's sketch of what a Scottish castle ought to be. This isn't some dramatic fortress - it's a nineteenth-century baronial mansion, built when the Romantic movement had everyone obsessed with turrets and towers. What remains today are those characteristic red sandstone walls and the bones of what was once someone's grand country pile.

Walking around it you get a real sense of domestic Victorian ambition gone to ruin. The scale is more intimate than the great medieval castles further north, which makes it feel oddly personal. There's no visitor centre, no gift shop, no fees - just the castle and whatever story you bring to it. You'll need thirty minutes, tops, unless you're the type who sits sketching for hours.

History enthusiasts will appreciate the architecture, but don't expect interpretive panels or guided tours. It's the sort of place that rewards a ramble rather than a deep dive. Families with younger children might find it less gripping than an actual functioning castle with interactive bits, but if your kids like exploring ruins and clambering about, it's fine for a detour.

Sandend Holidays, just 3.5 miles away, is your base if you're doing a park holiday in the area. The castle makes a decent half-hour stop on a coastal walk - it's not worth driving in specially, but it's well worth the walk if you're staying nearby.