Burghead Pictish Fort

From the late 300s until the late 800s this was a seat of real power, three times the size of any other stronghold of its day, and very likely the chief fort of the northern Picts.

Much of it lies under the village now, but the ramparts of the upper and lower wards can still be traced, and the views over the Moray Firth are superb. Carved stones showing bulls were found here, a symbol known nowhere else in Scotland.

The round white visitor centre, a former coastguard lookout, tells the story, with one of the bull stones on show. It is run by volunteers, free, and open every afternoon from April to September. Each year on 11 January, the Burning of the Clavie ends on Doorie Hill, above the fort.