Lang Stane of Auquhollie

A weathered slab of stone standing alone in the Aberdeenshire countryside, the Lang Stane of Auquhollie marks something genuinely old - a Bronze Age marker stone that's been here for around 4,000 years. You won't find crowds or visitor facilities, just a single standing stone in open moorland near Cookney, which is precisely what makes it worth seeking out.

The stone itself is modest in scale compared to famous circles elsewhere, but that's rather the point. It's a genuine archaeological site, not a polished tourist attraction, and it rewards people who care about how humans used the landscape in prehistoric times. Walkers and history types will get more from it than families with young children - it's not a destination where you'll spend hours, but rather a proper detour if you're rambling in the area.

The practical side: it's free and accessible anytime, though there's nothing but moorland around it, so go prepared for Scottish weather and bring an Ordnance Survey map. Allow twenty minutes if you're driving from Cookney, plus half an hour on site. It's best visited during longer daylight hours.

If you're based at Stonehaven Queen Elizabeth Park or Deeside Holiday Park - both excellent spots for caravan holidays - the Lang Stane makes a worthwhile morning walk before heading elsewhere. Combine it with other Bronze Age sites in the Dee Valley if archaeology is your thing. Otherwise, it's a bit off the main tourist trail, which is entirely the appeal.