Sir David Baird's Monument

Up on a hillside just outside Crieff stands a rather imposing stone monument to Sir David Baird, the Perthshire-born military man who made his mark in the Napoleonic Wars. It's a proper Victorian affair - the kind of memorial that commands respect without being flashy about it.

You get a decent walk to reach it, which honestly is half the appeal. The climb takes maybe twenty minutes from the road, and on a clear day the views across the Perthshire landscape are genuinely worth the effort. The monument itself isn't enormous, but there's something satisfying about standing there knowing you've actually sought it out rather than stumbled upon it by accident.

Historically minded types will appreciate the connection to Britain's military past, though you won't find interpretive boards or much fanfare - this is more about the quiet satisfaction of paying respects to a local hero. Families with older kids might enjoy the walk and the views, though younger ones could find the actual monument a bit underwhelming after the trek.

It's free to visit, naturally, and there's no official opening hours since you're accessing it on public land. Autumn and spring are best for the walk - summer can be a bit overgrown, and winter paths get muddy. If you're staying at one of the holiday parks near Comrie - Comrie Croft or Braidhaugh are both within a couple of miles - this makes for a solid morning excursion before heading into Crieff proper for lunch.