St Margaret's Church

The kirkyard at St Margaret's sits quiet and windswept on the edge of Keith, a sturdy stone church that's been watching over Aberdeenshire for centuries. It's the sort of place you'd stumble across while driving through the Highlands - nothing flashy, just genuinely old and weathered in that way Scottish churches do so well.

Inside, there's proper medieval stonework if you can get in, though opening hours seem to be a bit of a mystery. The churchyard itself is worth a wander even if the building's locked - gravestones dating back generations, some with inscriptions worn smooth by Highland rain and wind. It's atmospheric without being maudlin, and you'll likely have the place to yourself.

History enthusiasts will get the most from this one. Families with younger kids might find twenty minutes is enough unless they're particularly keen on graveyards and old buildings. The surrounding countryside is lovely for a proper stretch afterwards.

If you're staying at Hillside Havens just down the road, St Margaret's makes an easy morning detour before heading deeper into the region. The Highlands are full of these tucked-away churches - they're the bones of Scottish history, really. Worth stopping for if you're in the area, though I'd ring ahead to check if there's someone about to unlock it.