Garioch Sports Centre

The Garioch Sports Centre sits on the outskirts of Inverurie, a proper working sports facility rather than a tourist attraction in the traditional sense. It's the kind of place locals actually use - indoor swimming pool, gym, sports halls, the lot. If you're staying at Hillhead Caravan Park just down the road and the weather turns grim, which it will in the Highlands, it's worth knowing about.

For families with young kids, the pool is the main draw. Nothing fancy - no lazy rivers or slides - but the water's warm and there's usually a shallow end where toddlers can splash about without drama. Older children might find the activities on offer during school holidays keep them occupied for a couple of hours. Adults after proper exercise can crack on with the gym or book a badminton court.

It's not worth planning your entire holiday around, to be honest. But if you're caravan-based nearby and need an indoor option, or you're someone who genuinely can't go a few days without a swim, it's convenient enough. Ring ahead to check what's on - opening hours and what activities they're running do change seasonally. Most days you're looking at a modest entry fee, though it varies depending on what you want to do.

Treat it as a backup plan rather than a destination. On a decent day, you'd be better off walking the glens around Deeside or exploring Inverurie's town centre shops.