Earnbank

You won't find gift shops or visitor centres at Earnbank - this is archaeology in the raw. The site sits near Crieff and consists of a Roman fort from around AD 80, when the legions were pushing further into Scotland. What you're looking at today is mostly earthworks and ditches, the kind of thing that requires a bit of imagination to picture soldiers marching through.

The appeal here is fairly specific. History enthusiasts will get a genuine kick from standing on actual Roman ground, and walkers appreciate the open moorland setting. Kids under ten will likely find it a bit abstract - there's no reconstruction, no artefacts on display, just the shape of the land telling a story if you know how to read it. You'll need the Ordnance Survey map or good directions to find it properly, which adds a slight treasure-hunt quality.

Access appears to be free and unrestricted, though opening hours aren't formally listed - it's more of a "turn up when you fancy" situation. Allow 30 to 45 minutes to walk the perimeter and take in the views across Perthshire. The earthworks are still clearly visible from most angles, especially in winter when vegetation dies back.

If you're basing yourself at Braidhaugh Holiday Lodge just down the road, or any of the parks around Comrie, Earnbank makes a decent half-hour detour on a country walk. Don't expect a polished experience - go for the genuine historical weight of the place instead.