Wester Craigend, dun site

A steep hillside just outside Stirling holds the remains of what was once a proper dun - a prehistoric fortified settlement that would have commanded views across the Stirling plain. Wester Craigend isn't much to look at now, to be honest. You're basically climbing to find terraced banks and the faint outline of ramparts, but if you're into Iron Age Scotland and spotting how people actually defended their territory back then, it's worth the leg work.

The site sits on a sharp ridge, so the approach is a bit knackering but mercifully short. Once you're up there, the landscape context becomes obvious - anyone attacking would have had nowhere to hide. Walkers and archaeology enthusiasts will get far more out of this than casual visitors expecting a visitor centre and interpretation boards. There aren't any. Bring an OS map and a decent eye for earthworks, or download some background reading beforehand because the site itself won't tell you much.

Free to access, no set hours, you can turn up whenever suits you. Allow an hour including the climb and a proper look around. If you're staying at Witches Craig Caravan & Camping Park just down the road, it's an easy morning sortie before heading into Stirling proper for lunch. Best visited in winter or early spring when the grass is shorter and the ramparts show up more clearly. Summer growth obscures the detail quite a bit.

Not a box-ticking attraction, but rewarding if you take time to read the landscape.