Colliston Castle

You'll find the ruins of this 17th-century castle sitting quietly in the Aberdeenshire countryside, just a few miles south of Arbroath. What remains is the shell of a substantial L-shaped tower house, complete enough that you can still make out the original windows and stonework. It's the sort of place where you stand in the overgrown courtyard and can practically see the structure as it was - domestic, fortified, lived-in.

Colliston appeals most to history buffs and castle enthusiasts willing to do a bit of exploring off the main tourist trail. There's no visitor centre, no facilities, just the building itself and the fields around it. You're looking at maybe 30 minutes to an hour here, depending on how much you want to poke around and photograph. The site is free to access, though you'll need to find the entrance and be respectful of the property.

For a Aberdeenshire holiday, this works well as a quick stop if you're already in the area visiting Arbroath or exploring the coastal towns. Pair it with The Grange Glamping & Animal Experience just up the road - that gives you proper accommodation and something to occupy younger family members, while you get your castle fix. The ruins aren't dramatic or Instagram-famous, but that's rather the point. It's genuine and unpolished, which makes it feel more real than the heavily restored places.