Johnshaven War Memorial

The War Memorial at Johnshaven sits on a quiet corner of this small coastal village south of Montrose, a simple stone monument that speaks volumes about the community's sacrifice. It's not grand or showy - just a straightforward granite memorial listing the local names lost to the two world wars. You can walk right up to it without fuss or ceremony, and there's something rather moving about that accessibility.

This is really a pilgrimage spot for those with family connections to the area, or for anyone interested in how rural Scottish communities marked their grief. The memorial itself takes five minutes to read properly, but the location matters as much as the stone. Standing here, you get a real sense of Johnshaven as it was - a working fishing village where loss would have been felt acutely and personally.

If you're staying at St Cyrus Holiday Park nearby, it's easily reached on a short drive or bracing coastal walk. The village itself has a modest charm, with the harbour still active and a few shops worth a potter round. Don't expect lengthy facilities or visitor infrastructure here - this isn't a tourist destination so much as a genuine community landmark. Worth stopping by if you're exploring the Aberdeenshire coast, particularly if you have local connections or an interest in how small places remember their war dead. On a clear day, the North Sea views from the village add something to the visit.