Fochabers Cross

Standing in the centre of Fochabers, this medieval cross is one of those monuments that stops you mid-stride. It's not flashy - just a proper stone cross rising from the village heart - but it's been here since the 1400s, watching over the Moray coast like a silent guardian. The craftsmanship on the carved details rewards a closer look, though honestly, you'll need decent light to make out everything time has worn away.

This is one for history types rather than thrill-seekers. You're looking at twenty minutes max to examine it thoroughly, then you'll be off exploring the rest of Fochabers itself - which is a pleasant enough riverside town about eight miles east of Buckie. The cross sits right on the main street, so no trek required. It's free, always accessible, and genuinely interesting if medieval religious monuments appeal to you.

If you're basing yourselves at one of the nearby lodges - and Hillhead Hideaways is properly excellent if you can get in - the cross works as a quick cultural stop before heading to the coast or deeper into Aberdeenshire. Greencraig, just five miles away, also offers decent accommodation for exploring this corner of the region. The cross won't keep you entertained for hours, but as an anchor point for a Moray coast break, it's well worth the stop. Don't make it your only reason to visit Fochabers though - the village itself, with its food scene and riverside walks, is the real draw.