Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee stone trough

There's a stone trough tucked away near Aboyne that marks Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee in 1897. It's the sort of thing you'd walk right past if you weren't looking for it - which is rather the point of visiting local historical markers like this one. The trough itself is modest; Victorians were fond of commissioning these practical monuments to mark significant occasions, and this one has survived well over a century in the Scottish Highlands.

It won't take you long. Five minutes to find it, another five to read the inscription and absorb the fact that you're standing at a spot that mattered enough to the locals of 1897 to warrant permanent commemoration. History buffs and genealogy enthusiasts tend to get more from these quiet historical spots than most. If you're travelling with young children, it's barely a detour worth planning around.

The real value here is as a stop-off during a broader exploration of Deeside. Aboyne itself is a pleasant enough village, and if you're based at one of the nearby caravan parks - Firbank Park or Aboyne Loch are both highly rated - you can easily take in a handful of these local curiosities while walking the Deeside Way or visiting the larger attractions in the area. It costs nothing and demands nothing from you, which is rather refreshing. The Highland landscape around Aboyne is what you're actually here for; the trough is just a good excuse to slow down and notice it.