Pitlochry Dam Visitor Centre

The dam itself is the real draw here - a proper feat of 1950s engineering that still does the job of controlling the River Tummel. You can walk right up to it and watch the water thundering through, which never gets old. The visitor centre sits alongside and gives you the full story of how the whole thing works, with displays explaining the hydroelectric system that powers homes across Scotland.

It's genuinely worth stopping for if you're based at one of the caravan parks nearby - Milton of Fonab and Faskally Woods are both within spitting distance. The walk up to the dam takes twenty minutes at most, and the views across the valley are decent enough. Kids will be more entertained by the spectacle of the water itself than the exhibition inside, if I'm honest. The whole visit takes about an hour without rushing.

Admission details aren't always advertised, so ring ahead before you make the journey. Best to arrive mid-morning when the light's good for photos and you'll have the place mostly to yourself. The real appeal is the walk and the dam itself rather than anything inside the centre - if the weather's rough, you might find it a bit underwhelming. But on a clear day, it's a solid outing that breaks up a caravan holiday nicely, especially if you're exploring the Pitlochry area and fancy a bit of local history without the tourist crowds.