Robert Nicoll's Monument

A modest stone monument marks the resting place of Robert Nicoll, the 19th-century Scots poet whose verses captured rural life with genuine feeling rather than flowery sentiment. You'll find it in a quiet corner near Erigmore, away from the tourist crowds that descend on Perthshire's bigger draws.

There's not a vast amount to do here - it's a pilgrimage spot rather than a destination unto itself. The monument itself is unassuming, which rather suits Nicoll's character. He died young, at just 27, having worked as a stonemason and later as a weaver. His poetry reflected honest observation of the landscape around him, the work he knew, the people he met. That authenticity is what catches you about the place.

The appeal lies in the walk there as much as the destination. Erigmore and the surrounding area offer proper countryside - rolling Fife and Tayside terrain that rewards a ramble. If you're staying at one of the nearby caravan parks - Newmill Farm and Inver Mill Farm are both excellent - you could easily build this into a longer afternoon's exploration. Erigmore Holiday Park sits right in the locality too.

Best visited in decent weather, when you can linger without getting soaked. Allow an hour or so, including the walk from whichever park you're based at. It won't grab restless children for long, but history enthusiasts and anyone interested in Scottish literature will find it worth the detour. Free to visit, of course. Quieter than most attractions round here.