Doulie Tower

A crumbling stone tower on a hillside near Laurencekirk isn't everyone's idea of a day out, but if you've got a soft spot for Scottish medieval ruins, Doulie Tower is worth the detour. What you're looking at is a 16th-century fortified residence - basically a fancy farmhouse with serious defensive credentials. The tower itself isn't massively tall, and there's not much left of the interior, but the setting is pleasant enough and the walk up gives you proper views across Aberdeenshire's rolling countryside.

This is very much one for the history buffs and keen walkers rather than families after a theme park experience. Kids might manage fifteen minutes of poking about before asking what's for lunch. The fact that there's no visitor centre, no interpretation boards, and no facilities means you need to bring your own curiosity - and ideally some historical knowledge about 16th-century Scottish landed gentry.

Getting there is straightforward from Laurencekirk. It's free, obviously - there's nobody here to charge you. Allow thirty minutes to an hour depending on how long you spend examining stonework and taking photos. The nearest proper base is either Royal Arch Riverside Park or Dovecot Caravan Park, both within five miles, which makes Doulie a reasonable addition to a broader Aberdeenshire exploration. Pair it with a walk around the wider area - there's decent countryside if you fancy stretching your legs beyond the tower itself.