Countess of Sutherland Memorial Fountain

This Victorian fountain sits in Dornoch's town centre, a modest but rather grand tribute to the Countess of Sutherland. It's one of those local monuments that most visitors walk past without registering - which is a shame, because the stonework is genuinely well done, all ornate carved details and proper period craftsmanship.

The fountain itself doesn't function anymore, obviously, but that's hardly the point. What matters is the story it tells about 19th-century Highland society and the Clearances era that shaped this part of Scotland so profoundly. The Countess was a divisive figure - romanticised in some quarters, blamed for brutal clearances in others - so standing here makes you think about how we remember controversial history.

It's not a destination in itself. You'll spend five minutes looking at it, reading the inscription if you're interested, then move on. But if you're staying at Parkdean Resorts Grannie's Heilan' Hame Holiday Park just outside Sutherland, it's worth the short drive into Dornoch town to poke around. The town itself - with its cathedral, beach, and proper wee high street - makes the trip worthwhile.

Go during daylight hours obviously. No admission charge, no opening hours to worry about. It's the sort of thing history buffs will find quietly rewarding, though families with restless kids won't linger long. Dornoch's worth an afternoon anyway, so bundle this in with a walk and a decent lunch.