Maud and Savoch Church

Two churches for the price of one sounds like a good deal, and Maud and Savoch Church near Mintlaw actually delivers on it. You get a proper working church that serves both communities, which is refreshingly straightforward. The building itself is modest - you won't find soaring Gothic arches or stained glass that'll make you gasp. What you get instead is honest rural Scottish churchmanship, the kind of place that's been quietly getting on with things for generations.

It's worth stopping by if you're walking the lanes around Mintlaw or staying at one of the nearby caravan parks - Aden is close by at just 3.6 miles, and East Balthangie another 5.8 miles if you fancy somewhere slightly further afield. Both parks give you good access to this corner of Aberdeenshire, though I'd be honest: this isn't a standout architectural draw. Families with small children will get five minutes maximum out of it unless they're genuinely interested in local church history. Walkers doing the countryside circuit, though, will find it a useful landmark and a quiet spot to pause.

Call ahead to confirm opening times - rural churches can be temperamental about when they're actually accessible. If the door's open and you're passing through, step inside for a moment. It won't change your trip, but it's the sort of genuine, unpretentious place that makes Scottish countryside visits feel real rather than performed.