Gallows Hill Memorial

A sobering walk up a gentle slope just outside Dornoch takes you to this stark memorial - a simple stone marking the site where the last execution in the Scottish Highlands took place in 1727. There's no fanfare here, no visitor centre or gift shop. It's just you, the wind off the Firth, and the weight of what happened.

The memorial itself is modest, which somehow makes it more affecting. You get proper views across Dornoch and the surrounding countryside while you're up there - the kind of views that remind you the Highlands haven't changed that much in three centuries. The walk is straightforward enough for most ages, though it's worth knowing the path can be muddy after rain.

This is best suited to adults and older teenagers interested in Scottish legal history or dark heritage sites. Kids under ten will likely find it underwhelming once they've read the inscription - there's nothing interactive or theatrical about it. Allow 30 minutes including the walk and a few minutes to take in the surroundings.

If you're camped at Dornoch Caravan & Camping Park, it's practically on your doorstep - less than a mile away, making it an easy morning outing before heading elsewhere. Dornoch Firth Caravan Park to the south is worth the slightly longer drive if you want beach time combined with a historical angle. Winter visits have a particular starkness to them that feels appropriate.