Mary's Distaff, Crannog

The underwater archaeology here is genuinely peculiar - Mary's Distaff is what's left of a 2,500-year-old crannog, essentially an Iron Age roundhouse that once sat on an artificial island in what's now Loch Tay. You won't see much from the shore, to be frank. The actual structure lies submerged, though interpretation boards at the site explain what archaeologists have pieced together from excavations. It's the sort of place that fascinates history buffs and school groups studying prehistoric settlement patterns, but won't hold the attention of restless kids for long.

What makes it worth the short drive from Pitlochry is the setting itself. You're looking across Loch Tay toward Ben Lawers, and the walk down is pleasant enough. The crannog concept is genuinely clever - Scottish communities built these timber platforms as defensive strongholds and fishing bases, and this one's been thoroughly studied thanks to waterlogged preservation. Bring binoculars if you're keen on spotting the actual loch bed features.

Allow 30 minutes to an hour, more if you're reading everything thoroughly. It's free, which is the right price for what's essentially a viewing platform and some information panels. If you're staying at Glengoulandie Camping just down the road, it's a natural half-morning addition to a Perthshire itinerary - pair it with walks around Loch Tay itself or head to the surrounding Tay Forest Park. Don't expect excavations or reconstructions. This is interpretation over spectacle.