Tree of Life

The Tree of Life in Old Aberdeen is a proper curiosity - a wooden sculpture that's become something of a local talking point since it went up. It's the kind of piece that stops you mid-walk and makes you look twice, which is exactly what public art should do. You'll find it in the city, and it's free to view, so there's no faff about tickets or opening hours to worry about.

What you're looking at is a striking wooden installation that draws on themes of growth and connection - the sort of thing that means different things to different people depending on your mood. Families with kids tend to enjoy spotting the details carved into it, and it makes a decent photo stop if you're documenting your trip. History enthusiasts and art types will find it more engaging than most casual visitors, though honestly, it's the kind of sculpture that works best when you're not expecting it.

If you're staying at Seaview Caravan Park just outside the city, it's well worth a detour into Old Aberdeen to see it alongside the university area's older buildings. Give it ten minutes maximum - it's not somewhere you'll linger for hours, but it's a genuinely interesting addition to a wander through the historic parts of the city. The real value is in how it sits within Aberdeen's broader arts scene rather than as a destination in itself.