The Birks Of Aberfeldy

You'll find yourself standing at the entrance to a proper woodland gorge, with the Urlar Burn tumbling down through a steep-sided ravine lined with birch trees. This is what Robert Burns came to see back in 1787, and it's easy to see why the poet was inspired enough to write about it. The walk itself takes you along a path that clings to the side of the gorge, offering views down into the ravine and across to the opposite bank. Most people allow an hour to do the full circuit, though you can cut it shorter if your legs aren't up for the climb back out.

It's free to visit, and there's parking near Aberfeldy itself. The path can get muddy after rain, so proper footwear matters. Kids aged eight and up will find it interesting - there's a real sense of scrambling adventure without being too technical. Younger children might struggle with the steeper sections.

The area around Aberfeldy is dead good for a caravan holiday if you're willing to stay put for a few days. Pitilie Pods just down the road gets excellent reviews and gives you somewhere comfortable to return to after a day's walking. Grandtully Station Campsite over toward the railway works well if you want something a bit larger. The gorge itself is the sort of walk that justifies a weekend rather than a quick hour's visit - pair it with the surrounding river valleys and you've got a proper Perthshire break sorted.