Atholl Palace Hotel

The Atholl Palace Hotel dominates Pitlochry's skyline like a Victorian dowager holding court. Built in 1878, this baronial pile sits high above the town with views that sweep across the Perthshire hills - the sort of vista that makes you understand why the Victorians loved this corner of Scotland so much.

You don't need to be staying here to appreciate it. The building itself is worth a good look from outside, all turrets and granite solidity, the kind of hotel that whispers of shooting parties and long-dead landowners. The grounds are pleasant enough for a wander, and locals often pop in for afternoon tea in the lounges if you want a peek at the interior without committing to a room.

Historically minded visitors and architecture buffs will get the most from this one. It's not a working museum or anything - it's a functioning hotel - but it's a proper piece of Perthshire heritage. The real draw is understanding how the wealthy lived when the Highlands became fashionable.

If you're based at Milton Of Fonab Caravan Park, just a few minutes down the road, the hotel makes an easy afternoon stroll uphill. From Faskally Woods or Grandtully Station Campsite, it's a bit more of a trek, but doable if you're exploring Pitlochry properly. Allow an hour to nose around the exterior and gardens. Go on a clear day - that's when the views justify the uphill walk.