Prince Leopold's Cairn

A simple stone cairn on the hillside near Ballater marks where Prince Leopold, Queen Victoria's youngest son, died in 1884. You'll find it on the moorland above the town - not exactly signposted, which is rather fitting for a monument that feels genuinely forgotten rather than engineered as a tourist stop.

The walk up isn't taxing, though the path itself is a bit vague and you'll want decent footwear. The cairn itself is modest - just stacked stones with a plaque. What matters is the view across Deeside and the sense of stepping into a specific, melancholy moment in royal history. Leopold had hemophilia and his death sent shockwaves through the Victorian court. Standing here, you're in a quiet corner of Aberdeenshire where that tragedy actually occurred.

This works best for walkers and history enthusiasts rather than families with young children - there's no visitor centre, no facilities, and the appeal is quite subtle. Allow 45 minutes including the walk and time to take in the surroundings. Go on a clear day if you can; the moorland views are the real draw.

If you're based at Howe of Torbeg holiday park nearby, it's worth factoring in to a morning walk before heading into Ballater for lunch. It's not a destination in itself, but for anyone interested in Scottish royal history or just wanting a proper walk with a point to it, the detour pays off.