St James The Great Episcopal Church

The graveyard at St James the Great is what stops you in your tracks first - proper windswept and atmospheric, with headstones tilted at angles that speak to centuries of North Sea gales. The church itself sits on high ground above Stonehaven, a modest Episcopal building that doesn't shout for attention but rewards a quiet visit if you're passing through.

It's the kind of place walkers stumble upon rather than hunt out. The views over farmland towards the coast are what make the detour worthwhile, and if you're camping at Stonehaven Queen Elizabeth Park just down the road, it's an easy enough stroll to clear your head after a day of sites. The interior won't keep you long - you're looking at ten minutes inside unless you're properly into ecclesiastical architecture - but the churchyard itself, with its old stones and sea-wind rustling, has a meditative quality that costs nothing and takes as long as you fancy.

Historically inclined types might poke around the gravestones, reading weathered dates and names. Families with small children could make it a quick stop on a circular walk through the Stonehaven area. Upper Crawton Park and Cloak Caravan Park are also within easy reach if you're basing yourself for a week of exploring the Aberdeenshire coast.

Go on a clear day if you can. The interior light's better, and you'll actually see the landscape the church sits within.