Liggar's Stone

You'll find Liggar's Stone standing alone in the Aberdeenshire landscape near Inverurie - a proper piece of Scottish prehistory that most visitors drive straight past. It's a Pictish symbol stone, carved with those mysterious motifs the ancient people left behind, and it sits there matter-of-factly as if waiting for someone to actually pay attention.

There's not much to do here in the conventional sense. You come, you look at the carvings, you think about who carved them and why. That's rather the point. It's the kind of stop that appeals to history types and anyone curious about what Scotland looked like before everything got written down - the symbols suggest ritual significance, but honestly nobody's entirely sure. Five minutes is enough for most people, though if you're genuinely interested in Pictish culture, you'll want longer to really study the stone.

Being free and accessible at any time makes it a low-commitment addition to a wider trip. Pair it with a stay at Glamping Bothie or Hillhead Caravan Park - both within easy drive - and use it as a reason to explore the quieter corners of Aberdeenshire. The Highlands around Inverurie have proper heritage scattered about if you know where to look.

Won't blow your mind if you're just after spectacle, but if you like your history tangible and understated, it's worth the detour. Bring a camera - the stone photographs well against the rolling countryside.