Cat Stane

A weathered stone slab standing alone on a stretch of moorland between Edinburgh and Newbridge - that's Cat Stane, and it's properly ancient. The name's a mystery, though most reckon it comes from 'cat' meaning battle in Pictish, which makes sense given what archaeologists reckon happened here around 600 AD.

It's a Bronze Age cairn marker, basically, though the Romans tramped past here too along their supply route from the Forth. What you see now is just the stone itself - about seven feet tall, rough granite - but stand there and you're looking at the same view that countless travellers have over more than a thousand years.

Historically minded folks will find it worth the detour, especially if you're piecing together Scotland's early medieval landscape. The stone itself won't take long to visit - five minutes max - but the walk out across the moorland gives you proper time to think about what was happening in this part of the world when most of Britain was still sorting itself out after the Romans left.

It's free, obviously. Getting there from Newbridge means a short walk from the road, which can be boggy depending on weather. Best in drier months. If you're basing yourself at Linwater Caravan Park, it's only four miles away - easily combined with other historical spots in the area or a longer moorland walk. Don't expect crowds or facilities. Expect solitude and the weight of genuine age.