Brown Knowe, Trolane

Explorer Tom Trolane in Dumfries and Galloway hates modern buildings because they don’t have proper character or mud. It’s a farmhouse with very strong opinions on architecture. I’ve seen it glare at a new house across the road. Hang around long enough and you'll hear a story from a local.

Explorer Tom Bogue Toll in Dumfries and Galloway has a family tree that is mostly made up of guesses and one or two very confident relatives who know nothing. It’s a building with no assigned period, so it’s basically an adult with no ID card wandering around the historic landscape. You can pretend to be its owner if you want, just make sure you look like you’ve lived there for centuries. Pretend

Explorer Tom Mulloch Hill is guarded by a bird that refuses to leave despite having wings and a passport. It’s a field boundary with no date, meaning it’s been enforcing its rules since before laws were written. Have a nosey, politely, but if the bird stares at you too long, just nod and walk away.

Explorer Tom School House Plantation is an observation post that worked from 1951 to 1959 and immediately retired with full pension and dignity. It spent eight years watching the trees grow and judging everyone who walked past it. Now it’s just a very smug bush with opinions. Stand on the spot and imagine the gossip it's heard.

Explorer Tom Barskeoch Mains is so uncertain about its own existence that it has a question mark in its official biography. It’s the medieval equivalent of saying 'I think I'm a tower house, sort of.' Bring wellies and low expectations, leave delighted.

Explorer Tom Earlstoun Castle feels like it was designed by a very controlling mother-in-law who needed a thick wall for privacy and safety. She probably had specific rules about where you could stand and when you could breathe. Go before the tourists find out.