Auchen Chapel

A short drive from Blairgowrie takes you to one of Perthshire's quietest religious relics. Auchen Chapel sits alone in moorland that feels properly remote - the sort of place where you can actually hear the wind. It's a modest medieval structure, but there's something about standing in a chapel that's been around for centuries with barely another soul in sight that gets under your skin.

The chapel itself is small enough that you'll see the whole thing in ten minutes, but that misses the point. What makes it worth the trip is the walk in and the sheer isolation of it. You're looking at rough ground and open country - bring decent boots if the weather's been wet. The views back down toward Blairgowrie are worth lingering for, especially on a clear day when the Perthshire landscape spreads out properly beneath you.

History buffs will appreciate the age of the place, though don't expect elaborate stonework or displays. What you get is authenticity instead - a functioning (or semi-functioning) chapel that's been left largely as it was, rather than polished up for visitors. It's free to visit and there's no formal opening hours because there's no visitor infrastructure. That's both a drawback and its charm.

This works well as a half-day excursion if you're based nearby - Glenshee Glamping is only a few miles away and makes a solid base for this sort of Perthshire exploring. Time an hour for the walk and chapel itself, longer if you want to sit with the view. Skip it if you need visitor facilities or easy access; visit if you value solitude and don't mind rough ground.