Davidson's Cairn

A modest stone cairn sitting on moorland near Strathdon marks where Davidson was executed in 1746 for his role in the Jacobite Rising. It's a sobering spot, really - just a pile of rocks with a plaque, but the kind of place that makes you stop and think about what happened here nearly 300 years ago.

You won't spend long here. Walk straight to it, read the inscription, take a photo if you're into that sort of thing, and you're done. Twenty minutes maximum. What makes it worth the detour is the surrounding landscape - rolling Aberdeenshire moorland with proper big views across the Highlands. It's the kind of bleak, honest scenery that suits the history.

History buffs will find it interesting enough, though it's more about the location than any dramatic ruins or exhibitions. Families with young kids might find it a bit underwhelming on its own - there's nothing interactive or hands-on. That said, if you're doing a serious walk across the moors or combining it with other Jacobite sites in the area, it slots in nicely.

Free to visit, no facilities on site. Go in decent weather - the Highlands can turn quickly, and there's nowhere to shelter. Cairngorms Glamping & Campsite is just down the road if you're basing yourself here for a longer stay. Worth five minutes of your time if you're passing through Strathdon anyway, but don't make a special trip.