Shien Hill

Shien Hill sits quietly on the outskirts of Perth, an Iron Age fort that most visitors to Perthshire walk straight past without noticing. The ramparts are still visible if you know where to look - concentric banks that once defended a settlement over two thousand years ago. It's the sort of place that rewards a bit of effort and historical imagination rather than handing you everything on a plate.

You'll want to allow twenty minutes to half an hour, depending on how much time you spend poking about and trying to picture what life looked like up here. There's no visitor centre, no interpretation boards, no cafe - just the landscape and the archaeology. Walkers and history types will find it worth a detour. Younger kids might find it a bit underwhelming unless you're prepared to tell them proper stories about Iron Age warriors and settlements.

The site is free and accessible year-round, though it's best visited when the undergrowth isn't too overgrown. Spring or autumn work well. From here, Perth itself is close enough for supplies and meals, and you're well-placed for exploring the wider Tayside region. If you're based at Scone Camping and Caravanning Club Site just four miles away, Shien Hill makes a decent morning's walk before heading back for lunch. It won't blow your mind, but it's genuine archaeology on the ground - no Instagram filter required.