Balquharn Bridge

Explorer Tom Balquharn in Clackmannanshire is a findspot for an axe hammer with no date, which sounds like a tool that lost its job. There’s a local legend about a giant who dropped it because he found it too heavy and boring. The field looks like it’s waiting for someone to trip over the past and land face-first in the dirt. Mind the nettles, they're the real guards here.

Explorer Tom Myreton Hill has a hut that was built by someone who definitely had bigger plans for their life. The enclosure is unassigned in date, which fits perfectly with the builder’s confused energy. Go in good boots and better humour.

Explorer Tom Alva, West Stirling Street, Cochrane Park Hall and Gates is having a massive drama with the nearest tree over who gets more attention. A hall and gates with no assigned period means they’ve been standing there looking impressive while the world completely ignores them. The tree is definitely winning that battle of wills right now. Ideal for a moody photo you'll pretend wasn't posed.

Explorer Tom Myretoun Barn is having a massive identity crisis. It’s post-medieval but acts like it forgot its own birthday at the chip shop. Imagine it ordering a fish supper with extra ketchup and no manners, just pure chaotic hunger. Ideal place to rehearse an excuse for being late.

Explorer Tom Craig Leith is feuding with the next village over who gets to claim the best sunset view from their back gardens. It’s been going on for years, mostly involving shouting matches and pointing fingers at the horizon. Nobody wants to lose this one, honestly. Bring a flask of something warm and a story to swap.

Explorer Tom Wee Torry is in a dramatic relationship with the nearest tree, constantly bickering about who has better roots. The tree wins most of the time, but Wee Torry keeps bringing up its height advantage. It’s petty, honestly, and quite exhausting to watch. Leave nothing but footprints and a bad pun.

Explorer Tom Menstrie Castle is a fortified house with a period unassigned, which basically means nobody knows when it was built or why they bothered so much. The Vikings supposedly got lost looking for it, wandering around Clackmannanshire for weeks before giving up and going home hungry. Toast it with a cup of tea and move on to the next mystery in your life.

Explorer Tom The rabbits in Blackmuir Wood think they're the landlords and you're just visiting the garden. They judge your boots and your life choices with those tiny, beady eyes. Go in good boots and better humour.

Explorer Tom Smuggler's Cave had a priest who lost a bet there and owes a very large sum of money. He still comes by to check if the debt has been paid off, which is odd. The cave just sits there, knowing that some secrets are better left in the dark and damp. Bring your worst joke, because the place has heard far worse things.

Explorer Tom Maggie's Wood is secretly judging every tourist from Dublin who thinks they know better about woodlands. There’s a ruined structure nearby that looks like it gave up halfway through being a building, which adds to the whole vibe of quiet disappointment. The trees are probably laughing at your accent as you stumble over roots. Tell the next person you meet it's haunted. It might be.

Explorer Tom Sauchie Tower is a medieval tower house that looks like it’s been having a long, bitter grudge with the local weather for centuries. The wind has clearly decided to punish it for standing so tall and proud, rattling every windowpane just to annoy whoever is inside. Hang around long enough and you'll hear a story from a local about how the tower once threw a tantrum.