Milton of Balhary

The low earthwork mounds at Milton of Balhary don't look like much at first - a couple of overgrown bumps in a field near Blairgowrie. But these are the remains of a Pictish settlement dating back around 1,500 years, and standing there actually gives you goosebumps when you realise what you're looking at.

It's the kind of site that rewards patience. There's no visitor centre, no interpretation boards spelling everything out for you. You're essentially reading the landscape itself - spotting the defensive ditch, working out where the roundhouse would have stood. History buffs absolutely will get more from it than casual passers-by, though families with older kids who've studied Iron Age settlements at school tend to find it genuinely interesting rather than just another field.

The walk out isn't strenuous, and it's free. Allow maybe thirty minutes unless you're really into archaeology, in which case you could spend an hour poking about and imagining what life looked like here in the Pictish period. Spring and early summer are nicest - the fields are green and the midges haven't arrived yet.

If you're based at Five Roads Caravan Park, it's practically on your doorstep at half a mile away. Even from Nethercraig or Blairgowrie Holiday Park, it's a quick drive followed by a pleasant walk. Pair it with a visit to nearby Blairgowrie itself for proper facilities and food - the town's got decent enough restaurants and the usual shops. It won't take up your whole day, but as a half-hour detour with kids or a solo exploring moment, it's properly worthwhile.