Turra Coo

The massive granite boulder sits in a field just outside Turriff like something dropped by a careless giant. Turra Coo - that's the local name, and yes, it does mean what you think - is a genuine Ice Age erratic, left behind when the glaciers melted thousands of years back. You'll find it roughly a mile from the town centre, and it's an odd sort of pilgrimage: a lump of rock that somehow matters enough to folk round here that they've named it, fenced it, and made it a proper stop on the local walking circuit.

What strikes you first is the sheer size of the thing. It's a real specimen - you can run your hand over the weathered granite and feel how ancient it actually is. There's no visitor centre, no gift shop, no explanation boards (at least not the last time I went). You just turn up, have a look, maybe take a photo, and move on. Walkers pass through regularly on longer routes around Aberdeenshire, and it works well as a short break point if you're staying at Turriff Caravan Park just down the road.

Honestly, it's not going to hold your attention for long - fifteen minutes tops - but that's rather the point. It's a genuine local landmark with real geological interest, not a manufactured attraction trying to be something it isn't. Go if you're in the area exploring the wider countryside, or if you're interested in glacial geology. Worth the drive from Turriff itself, but don't rearrange your itinerary to get here.