Ossian's Grave

A pile of stones on a hillside near Ballycastle doesn't sound like much, but Ossian's Grave is genuinely intriguing if you're into prehistoric burial sites. You're looking at a Neolithic court cairn - think ancient stone tomb - dating back around 5,500 years. The stones are scattered across the slope in a way that still hints at the original structure, and on a clear day the views down towards the coast are proper stunning.

It's a short walk from the road, nothing strenuous, and the site feels refreshingly un-commercialised. No interpretive boards, no gift shop, just you and some very old rocks. That means you need to do a bit of homework beforehand if you want the full story - it was likely a communal burial place, and the name references the legendary Ossian of Irish mythology, though the connection is more poetic than archaeological.

History buffs and walkers will get the most from this. Kids might find it a bit underwhelming unless they're already into archaeology - there's no visitor centre and little to touch or interact with. Allow 30 minutes to an hour including the walk.

If you're basing yourself at Watertop Farm, just six miles away, Ossian's Grave makes a decent half-morning detour before heading to the better-known sights along the Causeway Coast. Free to visit, obviously. Go in decent weather when the views aren't obscured - that's when you'll understand why someone chose to bury their dead here.