Keillor

A few miles south of Blairgowrie, Keillor is one of those archaeological sites that rewards patience more than it rewards a quick stop. What you're looking at is the remains of a Pictish symbol stone, carved sometime between the 6th and 8th centuries - the kind of thing that makes you stand still for a moment wondering who carved it and why.

The stone itself is modest in size but dense with meaning. You get Pictish symbols etched into the rock face - abstract designs that scholars are still arguing about. It's not a sprawling excavation or a visitor centre with interactive displays; it's just you, the stone, and whatever landscape surrounds it. History types will find themselves spending longer here than expected, turning the stone over in their mind. Families with younger children might find it a bit static - there's no narrative to follow, no obvious story arc.

Access and timing aren't always straightforward with Keillor, and you'll want to check locally in Blairgowrie before heading out. It's genuinely free, naturally, though it can be tricky to locate without proper directions. Allow an hour maximum if you're combining it with other Perthshire attractions.

If you're based at Five Roads Caravan Park nearby, Keillor slots nicely into a broader day exploring Pictish and early medieval sites across Tayside. It's not a destination on its own, but it's absolutely worth the detour if you've got an interest in how Picts left their mark on the landscape.