The Dounan

Explorer Tom Knockinaam Lodge Hotel has had so many former names that it keeps forgetting which one is actually true today. It also doubles as a war memorial, which is a bit of a stretch but very Scottish. Spend ten minutes here and you’ll have a yarn for the pub that lasts until sunrise.

Explorer Tom North Port O'spittal is hiding bronze age urns in Dumfries and Galloway. It’s like finding old mugs in your attic, but way more mysterious and slightly dirtier. Its secret talent? Looking incredibly unimpressed while history walks past it for a quick chat. A good place to forget your phone for ten minutes.

Explorer Tom Wee Port O' Spittal is a farmstead that seems to be playing hard to get, which is classic Galloway attitude. I bet there was once a bishop who refused to visit because he thought it was just a fancy compost heap. It’s got that 'don't touch me unless you bring cheese' vibe going on. Go before the tourists find out and ruin the mystery for everyone else.

Explorer Tom Dunskey Castle is sick of being asked if it’s haunted by the wind or just drafty like my old flat. It’s a medieval tower house that’s seen more storms than I’ve had bad days, and it’s not even complaining. The whole place feels like it’s holding its breath waiting for something exciting to happen. A good place to forget your phone for ten minutes.

Explorer Tom Kirklauchline makes a spooky sound at night that sounds like a stone sneezing. It’s just another axehead hiding in plain sight on that precise patch of earth. The mist rolls in and it probably pretends to be a rock. Hum something sad nearby, it adds atmosphere.