Castlehill, dun site

A dun is basically an Iron Age fort, and Castlehill is one of those lumpy archaeological sites that doesn't immediately look like much until you know what you're looking at. It's on the outskirts of Stirling, which honestly is the real draw - the town itself has proper history, with the castle dominating the skyline. But if you've got an hour and fancy something a bit different from the usual tourist trail, Castlehill gives you a sense of how people actually fortified themselves two thousand years ago.

The remains are earthworks mostly - banks and ditches that show where the defensive structures once stood. From ground level it's subtle, but the layout becomes clearer if you've got even a basic knowledge of how these things worked. There's no visitor centre, no interpretive boards, no entrance fee to worry about. Just a historical site on the landscape.

History buffs will find it more interesting than families with small children, to be honest. If the kids are into archaeology or you're making a day of exploring Stirling's layers of settlement and fortification, it's worth the walk. But don't expect dramatic ruins or photo opportunities. The real appeal is understanding the geography - why someone picked this spot, how it relates to Stirling's later medieval castle just down the way.

Stay at Witches Craig Caravan & Camping Park, five miles out, and you're well positioned for both Castlehill and a proper explore of Stirling itself. Allow an hour maximum for the site itself.