John Barbour

The statue of John Barbour stands in central Aberdeen, commemorating the 14th-century poet who wrote 'The Bruce', Scotland's earliest known major work of literature. It's not a vast monument - you'll find it easily enough in the city centre, but it's more of a passing nod than a destination in itself.

Barbour was the archdeacon of Aberdeen and spent his life documenting the exploits of Robert the Bruce and the Wars of Independence. For history enthusiasts, particularly those interested in medieval Scottish literature, it's worth a five-minute stop to understand the man behind one of the nation's oldest surviving poems. Everyone else will photograph it and move on, which is fair enough.

There's no admission fee or special opening hours - it's public statuary, accessible whenever you're walking through Aberdeen. The real draw isn't the monument but the city around it: you're minutes from proper granite architecture, decent shops, and restaurants.

If you're staying at Seaview Caravan Park just four miles out, you've got a straightforward drive into the city. Pair this with a wander round the harbour and perhaps a visit to one of Aberdeen's museums. On its own, the Barbour statue won't keep you occupied long, but it slots neatly into a city day trip if you're interested in Scottish history. For families with young children, honestly, there are better uses of your time.