New Slains Castle

The walk out to New Slains Castle is half the appeal. You'll trudge through bracken and grass on the cliffs between Cruden Bay and Peterhead, and suddenly the ruins emerge from the headland like something from a Gothic novel. It's dramatic stuff - jagged red sandstone walls silhouetted against the North Sea, with nothing between you and the water but a sheer drop.

What's left is genuinely imposing. The castle dates back to the 1590s, built by the Earl of Errol, and you can still make out the keep, thick defensive walls, and the gun ports where cannons once pointed out at the water. Climbing through the rooms - what remains of them - gives you a proper sense of how isolated and formidable this place once was. The views are relentless: Scottish coast stretching north and south, and on clear days you'll see for miles.

It's free to roam about, which is brilliant. Allow a couple of hours if you're walking from Cruden Bay proper - the path is straightforward but exposed, so check the weather first. The castle itself will occupy you for 45 minutes if you're just exploring, longer if you're photographing every angle.

Walkers and history types will get far more out of this than casual visitors. It's not a manicured tourist spot - there are no refreshments, no guides, just you and the ruins. If you're staying at Peterhead Marina Bay Holiday Park, it's close enough for a half-day excursion, though the coastal path walk is really the main draw here.