Every place has its own little surprises and Stonehaven is no exception. We'd discovered a few things there on our first visit, and we discovered a few more on our second one. Here's a prime example, found displayed along the beach boardwalk just a little way from the harbour - maybe less than a five-minute walk away…

These incredibly detailed metal sculptures first appeared in 2019. The unknown artist is referred to locally as "Stonehaven's Banksy" and, so far, no-one has come forward to announce themselves as the creator of these brilliantly depicted works of art.

There's a lot of humour invested in the sculptures, as well as a great deal of artistry. I don't use the word "amazing" much, but I honestly felt like a kid with a new toy when I first saw the pieces - nor was I the only one to be so affected by what was on display there. It was an amazing experience.

As you might expect in any small town or village, rumours abound about the secretive soul who has brought so much interest and so many travellers to Stonehaven. The most favoured tale is that Cowie, a historic fishing village that has been absorbed into Stonehaven, is the home of the unknown artist. However, the locals tend not to probe too deeply into the identity of "Stonehaven's Banksy", in full accordance with the traditional discretion of the Highlander.