Damhead

You're looking at what remains of a 16th-century fortification that once guarded the Firth of Forth - or what locals still call Damhead, though time and the elements have been brutal. It's basically foundations and scattered stonework now, perched on a rocky promontory near Burntisland, but that's rather the point. History doesn't need to be polished.

What you actually get here is a proper walk along the shoreline with decent views across the water towards the Forth Bridge. The ruins themselves are modest - you won't spend hours picking over them - but the setting makes it worthwhile. It's the kind of place where you can imagine the strategic importance without much effort, watching the water channels where merchant ships and warships once moved through.

Walkers will find this more valuable than those expecting a visitor centre or interpretive panels. Bring decent shoes because the ground's uneven and can be damp. It works well as part of a coastal ramble rather than a destination unto itself. Twenty minutes to explore properly, maybe longer if you're prone to lingering over views.

If you're staying at Pettycur Bay or Sandhills just down the coast, this slots in nicely alongside a morning exploring Burntisland's waterfront. Not something to plan a trip around, but absolutely worth the detour if you're in the area and like your history rough around the edges.