Market Cross

The Market Cross in Inverurie stands right at the heart of things, a proper stone sentinel from centuries past. It's not enormous - you won't spend hours circling it - but there's something quietly solid about the thing that catches you when you're wandering the town centre.

This is where Aberdeenshire's mercantile life played out. The cross itself dates back to the 17th century and marks the spot where traders gathered, deals were struck, and the town's pulse quickened on market days. You'll find it easily enough in the town's main thoroughfare, impossible to miss once you know what you're looking for.

Historically minded visitors will appreciate it most - the kind of people who want to understand how Scottish burghs actually functioned rather than just photograph the obvious landmarks. Families with young kids might find it rather a quick stop rather than a full afternoon's activity, though it's worth a five-minute detour if you're already in town picking up supplies or grabbing lunch.

The real bonus is how it fits into exploring Inverurie itself, which sits handily between the Grampian hills and the Don valley. If you're based at Glamping Bothie just three miles out, this makes for a proper little morning outing - Market Cross, a walk round the older streets, perhaps a coffee. Don't expect crowds or much ceremony, but do expect something that feels genuinely rooted in place.