Duchess of Bedford's Cairn

High up on the Cairngorm plateau stands a pile of stones that marks where the Duchess of Bedford died in 1937 - a grim reminder that these mountains don't care how posh you are. It's not much to look at, truth be told. Just a cairn, some weathered rocks stacked as a memorial to a woman who got caught out in a blizzard while hillwalking in conditions that would make most sane people stay indoors. The story's compelling enough though, and reaching it requires proper effort - you're talking a serious walk across exposed moorland with the weather as your main entertainment.

Serious walkers and history buffs will find this worthwhile, especially if you're tackling the surrounding peaks near Aviemore anyway. It's not a casual stroll. You'll need decent fitness, the right kit, and an understanding of mountain weather because the plateau is unforgiving. The walk rewards you with those vast, open views across the Cairngorms that justify the graft, and the cairn itself carries a genuine sobering weight once you're standing there.

If you're staying at Dalraddy Holiday Park just 1.8 miles away, this sits perfectly into a highland walking break. Free to visit, obviously - it's on a mountainside. Allow a full day including the approach from lower elevations. Summer months (June through September) are your best bet, though even then the weather can turn quickly. Not one for families with young kids or anyone after a gentle afternoon potter.