William Robertson Smith

The birthplace of William Robertson Smith sits quietly in Aberdeenshire, a few miles from Ferryhill - the sort of spot you'd drive past without a second glance if you didn't know what you were looking for. Smith was a towering figure in 19th-century theology and anthropology, a man who basically rewrote how we think about religion and ancient texts. His work influenced everyone from Frazer to Durkheim, though I'd wager most people holidaying in the area have never heard of him.

Unless you're genuinely interested in Victorian intellectual history, this isn't going to grab you for hours. It's a pilgrimage site rather than a tourist attraction in the conventional sense - you come, you pay your respects to a significant thinker, and you move on. The actual building has genuine character though, and there's something rather moving about standing where a man of such influence grew up.

History buffs and academics will find it worthwhile, especially if you're staying at one of the nearby parks like Seaview or Deeside Holiday Park and fancying a cultural detour between coastal walks. Families with young kids won't find much to occupy them here, but if you're the type who reads biographies on holiday, it's worth the short drive from Ferryhill.

Best ring ahead to check opening times and whether entry is free before making the trip - details are thin on the ground, and there's nothing worse than arriving somewhere only to find it shut.