The Toorie Monument

The Toorie Monument sits on a modest rise just outside Nairn, a squat stone pillar that marks the spot where the Clanranald forces were defeated during the 1746 Battle of Culloden aftermath. It's not much to look at - a weathered obelisk surrounded by rough moorland - but it carries real weight if you're interested in Jacobite history.

You'll spend maybe twenty minutes here, tops. The walk up from the road is straightforward, and the views across the Highland landscape are decent without being spectacular. What matters is the quietness of the place. There's no visitor centre, no café, no interpretation boards spelling everything out for you. That's either brilliant or frustrating depending on your mood.

Histor buffs and anyone tracing Jacobite routes will find it worthwhile. Kids might struggle unless they're genuinely keen on 18th-century politics. The monument works best as a stop on a wider Highland loop - combine it with a proper walk in the Culbin Forest nearby, or make Nairn itself your base and use the monument as a gentle introduction to the area's deeper stories.

Barrow Campsite Nairn sits just three miles away, making it a perfect staging point if you're touring this corner of the Highlands. Admission is free and there are no restrictions on access that I'm aware of, though you'll want decent boots - the ground gets boggy after rain. Go on a clear afternoon when the light picks out the surrounding hills properly.