The Gray Stone of Clochforbie

A weathered chunk of stone standing alone in the Aberdeenshire landscape near Turriff tells a story that goes back millennia. The Gray Stone of Clochforbie is what's left of something significant - likely a standing stone or marker from Bronze Age times, though the exact purpose remains deliberately vague in the archaeological record, which is half the appeal.

There's not much to do here in the traditional sense. You show up, you look at the stone, you think about who put it there and why. That's genuinely the whole visit, and whether that sounds brilliant or tedious rather depends on you. History buffs and walking enthusiasts will find it worth the detour, especially if you're already exploring the Highlands. You can usually access it freely and at any time - it's outdoors and untended, which is refreshing compared to the heavily managed attractions.

The site works best combined with the caravan and glamping options scattered nearby. Shepherd's Loch Glamping sits barely a tenth of a mile away, making it an easy evening stroll, while Clochforbie Yurts at just a mile out offers proper back-to-nature accommodation. From there, you could loop through the wider Aberdeenshire sites - Gamrie Bay and Wester Bonnyton are both within striking distance if you're basing yourself in a park for a week.

Allow twenty minutes unless you're the type to sit quietly beside it for longer. The walk itself, through typical Scottish moorland and farmland, is often more rewarding than the stone itself. Go early or late to avoid any farm traffic on local roads.