Clootie Well

Tied to the branches of an ancient tree on the Black Isle, just outside Inverness, are thousands of scraps of cloth - each one placed by someone hoping for a cure, a blessing, or an answer to a prayer. This is Clootie Well, and it's one of Scotland's most unusual archaeological sites, steeped in a tradition that stretches back centuries, possibly to pre-Christian times.

What you're looking at is a working ritual space, not a museum piece. Visitors still come here to tie their cloths (clooties) to the tree, following a belief that as the fabric rots away, so does the illness or worry it represents. The well itself sits beneath the tree, and locals maintain that its water holds healing properties. It's genuinely atmospheric - the gnarled tree is almost entirely obscured by multicoloured fabric, and the quietness of the spot makes you understand why people keep coming back.

This is worth a detour if you're staying at Coulmore Bay Holiday Park or Fortrose Bay Campsite - both are within easy driving distance - and especially if you're interested in folk practice and how ancient beliefs persist in modern life. Historians and anyone curious about Scottish traditions will find it compelling. Kids might find it interesting for ten minutes, though it's more of a contemplative stop than an activity.

Access appears to be free and unrestricted, though there's limited parking. Allow 20-30 minutes. The site can be boggy underfoot, so good shoes are essential. Summer's busier; winter's quieter and perhaps more haunting.