2-Bedroom Hot Tub Cabin in Marykirk

Dunnottar Castle is a ruined medieval fortress on a rocky headland on Scotland's north-east coast, just south of Stonehaven. Steep cliffs drop 160 feet to the North Sea, and a narrow strip of land leads up to the gatehouse. The ruins include a 14th-century tower house and a 16th-century palace, and the views make it a favourite with photographers.

Tip: Check the weather before you set off, as the castle may close in bad conditions. Parking is available on site.

Edzell Castle is a ruined 16th-century castle near Brechin in Angus, run by Historic Environment Scotland. It began as a tower house around 1520 and was extended with building ranges around a courtyard. It was designed more as a country house than a defensive fortress, and Mary, Queen of Scots, stayed here in 1562.

Glamis Castle stands beside the village of Glamis in Angus and is open to the public. It has been the home of the Lyon family since the 14th century, though the present building dates largely from the 17th century. It was the childhood home of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, and Princess Margaret was born here in 1930.

Tip: Leave time for the grounds as well as the castle: the daffodil avenue and the arboretum overlooking Glamis Burn are part of the estate.

V&A Dundee is Scotland's design museum, set on Dundee's waterfront. It was the first building in the UK designed by the Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, whose idea was a "living room for the city", and its outer wing reaches out over the River Tay. It is also the only V&A museum outside London.

Tip: Parking is in the nearby Dundee City Council car parks, and the free Smartify app audio tours let you explore at your own pace.

Arbroath Abbey is a ruined medieval monastery built of local red sandstone and cared for by Historic Environment Scotland. It was one of the country's grandest monasteries for almost 400 years and is closely linked with the Declaration of Arbroath and Scotland's sense of independent nationhood. The Stone of Destiny also turned up on the site of the abbey's altar after going missing from Westminster Abbey.

Tip: Pre-book online for guaranteed entry, especially if you're visiting with an Explorer Pass.

Crathes Castle is a classic Scottish tower house, completed in 1596 by the Burnett family and now run by the National Trust for Scotland. Inside, you'll find turrets, oak panelling, family portraits, antique furniture and painted ceilings that survive from the Renaissance. Look out for the Horn of Leys, given to the Burnetts by Robert the Bruce.

Tip: Castle tickets can't be booked ahead. Buy them from the shop on the day, as entry is first come, first served.

Aberdeen Art Gallery is housed in a neo-classical building designed by Alexander Marshall Mackenzie. Its collection spans 700 years, with work by local, national and international artists, designers and makers. Highlights include Joan Eardley, the Scottish Colourists, Francis Bacon, Tracey Emin, Claude Monet and Barbara Hepworth.

Tip: There's no on-street parking outside; the nearest car park is Denburn, then Bon Accord/Harriet Street. It's a 10-minute walk from the train and bus stations.

RRS Discovery is the wooden three-masted ship built in Dundee in 1901 for Antarctic research. She carried Robert Falcon Scott and Ernest Shackleton on the Discovery Expedition, and she was the last traditional wooden three-masted ship built in the United Kingdom.