Dowies Burn

Explorer Tom Dowies in Dumfries and Galloway is home to a hammerstone that has been in a feud with the next village over who invented the concept of hitting things hard. They’ve been arguing for centuries about whose rock was the first to break something, which is honestly a bit ridiculous for stones. It’s probably still fuming about the lack of respect it gets from its neighbours. Ten minutes here and you'll

Explorer Tom Old Place of Monreith is having a major identity crisis because it’s not sure if it’s a tower house or just a very tall, very old fence post. Its least favourite visitor is definitely anyone who wears sandals, because the mud here has a personal grudge against footwear. It stands there with the dignity of something that knows you’re late for dinner. Bring a coin for luck and keep it in your pocket

Explorer Tom Court Hill is where a matchmaker probably worked, judging by the name and the vibe. I bet she had a list of eligible bachelors and a very strict rule about who could walk up the hill. It’s got that quaint, old-fashioned charm that makes you want to wear a bonnet. Find the date carved somewhere and feel clever.

Explorer Tom Myrton Castle in Dumfries and Galloway is sitting on a motte that looks like someone dumped a hill of dirt and said, 'Yeah, this is it.' It’s got that medieval castle vibe but feels more like a very serious rock pile that’s waiting for you to write a bad poem about it. The whole place is just going, 'Make it rhyme,' while the wind tries to blow your voice away. H