King William the Lion

The statue of King William the Lion stands in Arbroath, a coastal town that's frankly easy to overlook if you're tearing through the northeast. But this bronze figure - cast to commemorate one of medieval Scotland's most significant monarchs - is worth a proper stop. William ruled for nearly 50 years and essentially shaped the nation. The monument itself isn't flashy, but that's rather the point. You're looking at a piece of Scottish identity, not a tourist attraction bolted together yesterday.

Arbroath itself is the draw here. The town's famous for its abbey ruins and seafront, so you can easily combine a visit to the statue with exploring both. History enthusiasts will get the most from it - kids might spend ten minutes and move on, which is fair enough. The statue's free to visit, sits in public space, and takes about as long to see as it takes to say the king's name.

If you're holidaying at The Grange Glamping & Animal Experience just five miles south, this makes a straightforward afternoon excursion. Pop into Arbroath, grab fish and chips, wander the harbour, and pay respects to William. It won't swallow your day, but it adds proper texture to a Highland break if you've got even a passing interest in Scottish history. The coastal light here in late afternoon is rather lovely too - worth timing your visit accordingly.