Centre of Scotland Stone

Out on the A86 near Newtonmore sits a modest stone marker that claims to be the geographical centre of Scotland. It's the sort of thing you'd drive past without noticing if someone hadn't told you about it, which is precisely why it works as a quick stop.

There's not much to do here in the traditional sense. You pull up, have a look at the stone, maybe take a photo, and move on. The actual pulling power is the oddly compelling fact that you're standing at the supposed dead centre of the country. Whether that claim holds up to scrutiny hardly matters - it's one of those bits of trivia that sticks with you.

Historically minded visitors might find it worth a five-minute detour, though it's really a conversation starter rather than a destination. Kids will get bored after about thirty seconds unless you make a game of it. The surrounding landscape is pleasant enough - moorland and hills that give you a proper sense of the Highlands, but nothing jaw-dropping.

It's genuinely free and accessible whenever you fancy it. Allow two minutes, maybe five if you've got the camera out.

For a caravan holiday in the area, this slots in well with exploring Newtonmore itself. Invernahavon Caravan Park is practically on your doorstep less than a mile away, so you could easily visit en route to bigger attractions. It's the sort of thing you do when you're already in the Highland Perthshire area, not something worth planning a trip around.