Princess Louise's Cairn

A pile of stones on a hillside near Ballater might not sound thrilling, but Princess Louise's Cairn marks something genuinely interesting - a Victorian royal visit that left its mark on these hills. Built in the 1870s to commemorate Queen Victoria's daughter, it's a modest monument that tells you plenty about how the Scottish Highlands became fashionable with the monarchy.

The cairn itself is straightforward: substantial enough to spot from distance, but the real appeal is the walk to get there. You're looking at moorland views across Aberdeenshire, the kind of landscape that kept Victoria coming back to Balmoral year after year. It's not a massive detour if you're already exploring the area around Ballater, though you'll want sturdy boots and shouldn't attempt it in mist.

This works best for history types and keen walkers rather than families after a quick outing. Allow a good couple of hours return, depending on fitness and how long you linger taking photographs. The cairn itself won't hold anyone's attention for more than fifteen minutes, so treat it as part of a wider hike rather than a destination in itself.

Staying at Howe of Torbeg, just down the road, gives you the perfect base for tackling this and other local walks. Ballater itself has decent shops and cafes if you need supplies before heading out. Free to visit, obviously - there's nothing to pay and nowhere to buy anything at the cairn itself.