Mary Somerville

The birthplace of Mary Somerville sits quietly in Burntisland, a working-class town on the Fife coast that doesn't shout about its scientific heritage. She was born here in 1780 and went on to become one of Britain's most celebrated mathematicians and astronomers - a woman who learned Latin in secret because her family thought it unsuitable. The house itself is modest, reflecting her origins, though the woman it produced was anything but.

This is a pilgrimage spot rather than a full day out. History buffs and anyone interested in the long fight for women in science will find it worthwhile; casual tourists might spend thirty minutes here and move on. You'll get a sense of her world - the constraints, the determination, the remarkable intellect that flourished despite everything working against her. Burntisland itself is worth exploring while you're here: a genuine seaside town with a working harbour, not a manicured resort.

If you're staying at one of the nearby holiday parks - Pettycur Bay or Sandhills are just down the road - it's an easy detour before heading to the beach or exploring Fife's coastal path. The town centre is walkable and unpretentious. Don't expect grand halls or extensive displays; expect instead to stand in the space where an extraordinary mind was formed, and to understand why that matters. Worth the visit if you're in the area, though it's not a reason to make a special journey to Burntisland on its own.