Macbeth Stone

A weathered slab of stone sitting in the Aberdeenshire landscape, the Macbeth Stone marks the spot where Shakespeare's Scottish king supposedly met his end in 1057. Whether you believe the legend or not, standing here gives you a proper sense of how history bleeds into these Highland glens.

The stone itself isn't much to look at - a rough chunk of granite with a brass plaque, the kind of thing you could walk straight past if you weren't watching for it. But that's rather the point. This is where fact and folklore crash into each other, and the Highlands don't need fairy lights and gift shops to make that compelling.

Histor enthusiasts will find it worthwhile, though you'll want to be honest with yourself about time. Half an hour tops, unless you're keen on sitting about contemplating mortality and medieval Scottish politics. Families with young kids might struggle - there's no visitor centre, no tearoom, just moorland and a stone. It's free to visit and accessible year-round, though winter weather can make the approach a bit bleak.

If you're staying at Aboyne Loch Caravan Park or Greenpark Leisure, this makes a decent half-day outing combined with exploring the broader Aberdeenshire valleys. The surrounding countryside is proper beautiful, all rolling hills and river valleys. Worth the detour if you're in the area, but don't rearrange your holiday around it.