Princess Beatrice's Cairn

A stone cairn marking where Princess Beatrice supposedly camped during a Highland hunting expedition - it's one of those quietly obscure historical markers that makes you wonder whether anyone actually checked the facts. Located in Aberdeenshire not far from Ballater, it's the kind of stop that appeals to local history buffs more than casual tourists.

The cairn itself is modest. You get a bit of moorland, the pile of stones, and whatever views the surrounding landscape offers. It's free to visit and takes maybe ten minutes unless you're the type to sit about reading all the historical plaques twice over. There's no visitor facility or café, so bring water if you're planning to combine it with a proper walk.

This works best for walkers using Howe of Torbeg holiday park as a base - the park sits only 5.4 miles away and it's well-rated, so you could slot the cairn into a longer ramble across the moorland. If you're already exploring Ballater and the surrounding Cairngorms area, it's worth a minor detour. If you're bringing kids hoping for something dramatic, they'll lose interest within five minutes. Go if you're properly into Scottish history and royal connections. Skip it if you're after real spectacle.