Pheasants

There's a modest stone monument just outside Forfar that most folk drive straight past without a second glance. Pheasants - the name itself raises eyebrows - marks a spot of genuine historical weight in Aberdeenshire. It's a straightforward landmark rather than a full attraction, the kind of place that rewards a brief stop if you're walking or cycling through the area, though it won't hold your attention for hours.

The monument commemorates something significant to the region's past, and it's one of those quiet historical markers that tells you far more about local heritage than any tourist board sign ever could. You'll get the most from it if you're already interested in Scottish history or if you're doing a proper walking route through the Highlands - it's the sort of thing worth photographing and jotting down rather than planning your day around.

If you're staying nearby at Greenhillock Glamping, it's worth a detour on your way out exploring, perhaps combining it with walks across the wider Aberdeenshire landscape. There's no charge to visit and no set hours - you can pull in whenever suits. Allow ten minutes maximum unless you're the type who reads every inscription twice and ponders the local context.

Honest assessment: it's not a destination in itself, but it's the sort of layby stop that adds texture to a Scottish holiday if you're already in the area.