Matheson's Stone

A weathered slab of stone marks where a 17th-century minister called Matheson stood his ground - or so the locals say. You'll find it on the Black Isle, just outside Fortrose, a modest monument that tells you more about Highland stubbornness than grand history. The stone itself isn't much to look at, frankly. It's the story that sticks with you: Matheson allegedly refused to budge from this spot during some long-forgotten religious row, and the stone commemorates his defiance. Whether that's literal or metaphorical depends who you ask at the Fortrose pub.

This one's for history buffs and walkers who like their monuments with a bit of character rather than polish. You won't spend hours here - fifteen minutes tops if you're being thorough - but it's worth the detour if you're exploring the Black Isle's quieter corners. The landscape around Fortrose is genuinely lovely for rambling, with views across the Moray Firth that make the trip worthwhile even if the stone itself feels anticlimactic.

If you're based at one of the nearby caravan parks - Fortrose Bay Campsite is closest at under four miles - this fits neatly into a morning walk. Summer's best, when the light's good and the midges aren't as aggressive. There's no admission charge because there's barely any infrastructure, just the stone and the grass around it. Don't expect signposting or facilities. That's rather the point.