Dane's Stone

A weathered slab of stone standing alone on the Perthshire moorland near Pitlochry - that's Dane's Stone, and it's one of those sites that stops you in your tracks not because of crowds or facilities, but because of what it represents. The stone itself is modest enough, but it marks something genuinely old: a Bronze Age burial cairn that's been here for thousands of years, commanding views across the Tay Valley.

You'll find it a straightforward walk from Pitlochry, and there's something satisfying about standing at a monument this ancient without the scaffolding or the gift shop. No entry fees, no opening hours to worry about - just you, the stone, and a decent chunk of Scottish history. The site won't take long, maybe twenty minutes unless you're the type to sit and contemplate for hours, which fair play if you are.

This works particularly well if you're based at Milton of Fonab Caravan Park or Faskally Woods Holiday Park, both right on Pitlochry's doorstep. Combine it with a walk around Loch Tummel or the Pass of Killiecrankie nearby, and you've got a proper day of exploring. It's the kind of site that appeals to history buffs and keen walkers rather than families after an afternoon's entertainment, though older kids interested in archaeology will find it genuinely worthwhile. Not a detour in itself, but absolutely worth the wander if you're already in the area.