Vanora's Mound

A grassy bump in the Aberdeenshire landscape doesn't sound like much, but Vanora's Mound is genuinely worth digging into. This Bronze Age burial mound sits near Blairgowrie and marks a spot where someone important was laid to rest thousands of years ago - the kind of place that makes you think about all the lives that came before us.

It's a straightforward walk to reach it, nothing taxing, and you get decent views across the surrounding countryside. The mound itself is substantial enough to see why archaeologists got excited about it. There's something oddly moving about standing on top of a Bronze Age burial site, even if there's no visitor centre or interpretive boards to guide you through what you're looking at.

Historically minded walkers will get the most from it. Kids might find it interesting for five minutes before asking what's for lunch - it's not exactly Stonehenge in terms of visual drama. Best tackled as part of a longer route through the area rather than a standalone trip.

Practically speaking, it's free and accessible year-round, though the ground can get boggy after rain. Allow perhaps 30 minutes to reach it and have a proper look round. If you're based at Five Roads Caravan Park or Nethercraig Holiday Park nearby, it makes for an easy morning or afternoon outing. Pair it with a walk through the local countryside or a visit to Blairgowrie itself for something more substantial.