St. Mary's and St. Peter's

The twin spires of St. Mary's and St. Peter's rise above the flatlands near Montrose, a sight that stops you in your tracks if you're driving through Aberdeenshire. This isn't one building but two separate churches standing close together - a quirk of Scottish ecclesiastical history that actually tells you something about the area's religious past. Inside, you'll find the sort of solid, no-nonsense architecture that characterises highland parishes: stone walls, high ceilings, and the kind of light that makes you want to sit still for twenty minutes whether you're religious or not.

Historically minded visitors will get the most from a visit here, particularly those interested in how different denominations carved out their territories in rural Scotland. The setting itself - open countryside with views across to the coast - rewards a short wander around the churchyard. It's the kind of place where you can actually hear yourself think.

Getting there from Montrose takes about fifteen minutes by car. Admission is free, and you can spend as long as you like wandering about. Twenty minutes inside and around the buildings is realistic if you're not lingering over the gravestones. It works well as a quiet pause during a park holiday at somewhere like St Cyrus Holiday Park, which sits just five miles away. The beaches at St Cyrus are excellent for families, so pairing a morning at the park with an afternoon church visit and coastal walk gives you a proper mixed day.