Sir John S Forbes Memorial Fountain

You'll find this Victorian fountain standing in Laurencekirk, a modest tribute to a man who clearly mattered to the folk around here once upon a time. Sir John S Forbes was a significant figure locally, and someone decided he deserved a permanent memorial - the sort of thing Victorian communities did when they wanted to mark out their important citizens in stone and water.

It's the kind of stop you make while passing through rather than a destination in itself. The fountain itself is decent enough - proper Victorian craftsmanship - but you're here more for the sense of place than any jaw-dropping spectacle. A quick look takes fifteen minutes, maybe twenty if you're reading the inscriptions and actually thinking about who Forbes was.

For history buffs doing a tour of Aberdeenshire's notable buildings and monuments, it's worth a tick on the list. It fits naturally into a broader exploration of Laurencekirk itself, which has enough character to warrant an hour's wander. Families with older kids interested in local history will get something out of it; younger children will find it bit dull, to be honest.

If you're basing yourself at Royal Arch Riverside Park or Dovecot Caravan Park nearby, both excellent for a proper park holiday, this makes an easy detour into town. Pop in when you're grabbing a coffee or lunch rather than planning a special trip. Free to view, naturally, and accessible whenever you fancy it. It's the sort of place that feels more valuable as part of a bigger day out than standing alone.