New Pitsligo War Memorial

The memorial stands quietly in New Pitsligo, a small village between Fraserburgh and the wider Aberdeenshire countryside. It's the kind of place that stops you mid-walk, forces you to pause and actually look at the names carved into stone. The War Memorial records the local men who died in the First and Second World Wars - a sobering reminder of what this corner of Scotland lost.

There's not much to do here in the traditional sense. You're not getting a guided tour or interactive display. What you get instead is reflection, a moment to consider the sacrifice made by ordinary folk from an ordinary village. It takes ten minutes to walk round it properly, read the inscriptions. Longer if you're the type to sit with it a bit.

Worth the detour if you're touring round Aberdeenshire with an interest in local history or military heritage. Walking groups doing circuits of the northeast will pass it. Honestly, if you're staying at one of the nearby parks - East Balthangie, Clochforbie Yurts, or Shepherd's Loch are all within striking distance - it's a worthwhile half-hour walk from the caravan sites, breaks up the day. Families with older children who appreciate that kind of thing will find it meaningful rather than tedious.

Access appears to be free and unrestricted, as these memorials typically are. No facilities on site, mind. Best visited during daylight hours when you can actually read what's written.