Durn Hill fort (unfinished)

There's something rather compelling about a fort that never got finished. Durn Hill, perched above Banff in Aberdeenshire, is one of those archaeological sites that makes you wonder what stopped the builders mid-project. The earthworks are still there - defensive ditches and ramparts that suggest someone had serious intentions before the work simply... ceased. It's Bronze Age, though the exact dating is debated among the experts.

What you'll find on the ground is essentially a series of raised banks and ditches forming a rough circular pattern. It's not dramatic in the way a fully excavated Roman fort might be, but that's rather the point. You're looking at raw prehistory here, the kind of thing that rewards a bit of imagination and a decent pair of walking boots.

Historically inclined visitors will get the most from this one, though it's the sort of place that works well as part of a wider wander round the Banff area rather than a destination in itself. Allow an hour at most, longer if you're into the archaeology and want to photograph it properly. The site appears to be freely accessible, though facilities are minimal - there's nothing here except the landscape.

If you're staying at one of the nearby caravan parks - Sandend Holidays and Portsoy Links are closest - it makes a decent local walk. Banff itself is a proper Aberdeenshire coastal town with its own appeal, so worth combining with visits to the wider area. The fort's worth half an hour of your time if you're in the neighbourhood. Don't expect visitor centres or interpretation boards.