Drummond Castle

The approach to Drummond Castle near Crieff is properly dramatic - you wind up a long private drive with trees on either side, and suddenly there it is, a proper fortress sitting on higher ground like it owns the whole valley. Built in the 15th century, it's one of Scotland's finest castles, and the reason people trek here is the gardens rather than the castle itself, which you view from above.

Those gardens are extraordinary. Laid out in the 1630s in the shape of a St Andrew's cross, they're formal and geometric in the way only old Scottish estates manage - all clipped hedges, gravel paths, and a centrepiece sundial that's been standing watch for centuries. You walk around the perimeter, taking in the scale of the thing, and it genuinely takes your breath away. On a clear day the views across Perthshire are worth the journey alone.

Walkers and garden enthusiasts will get the most from this. Kids under ten might find it a bit samey after half an hour - there's not much to do except walk and look. Allow a good couple of hours if you're taking photos and actually enjoying it rather than rushing through.

If you're basing yourself at one of the nearby parks - Braidhaugh or Comrie Croft are both close - this makes an excellent afternoon outing. It's far enough from Crieff town centre to feel like a proper excursion but easy enough to reach without faffing about with complicated directions. Check ahead on opening times and admission fees before you go, as these do change seasonally.