Torry Battery

You're standing on a windswept headland in Aberdeen where the granite cliffs drop sharply to the North Sea, and that's Torry Battery - a Victorian gun emplacement that once defended the city from invasion. It's not much to look at now, honestly. The ruins are sparse, the cannons long gone, but there's something rather gripping about walking the gun positions and imagining the soldiers stationed here during the Napoleonic Wars and beyond.

The site itself is free and takes maybe thirty to forty minutes to explore properly, though you could blitz it in ten if you're not one for lingering. There's no visitor centre or facilities, so go prepared with a decent coat - that sea wind doesn't mess about. The views across the Moray Firth are genuinely good, which makes the walk worthwhile even if you're not fussed about the military history.

This is really for history buffs and walkers rather than families with young kids. Teenagers interested in military architecture will find it interesting enough, but there's not much to do once you've had a look round. The nearest settlement is Footdee, a proper fishing village with character, just a short drive away.

If you're basing yourself at Seaview Caravan Park up the coast, Torry Battery fits nicely into an afternoon ramble. Pair it with a walk along the cliffs - they're dramatic and less crowded than you'd expect for somewhere so close to the city. Worth an hour of your time, even if you're only half-interested in the history.