Blairgowrie

Berry fields stretch across gentle hills where red-brick buildings hint at this small town's agricultural heart. Blairgowrie sits snugly in the fertile Strathmore valley, famous for its raspberries and strawberries that have fed Scotland for generations. The town centre feels properly Scottish - stone cottages, local shops that still matter, and cafes that know how to make a decent brew.

Walkers have brilliant options here. Barry Hill offers cracking views across the valley, and if you fancy a bit of history with your exercise, Barry Hill fort rewards the climb with ancient stone circles and earthworks. Reekie Linn Falls thunders through a dramatic gorge - it's a proper spectacle after heavy rain. The archaeological sites scattered around tell stories of Pictish settlements, with Kilry Standing Stone and the Carlinwell Stone marking territory from thousands of years back.

Little Bamff waterfall makes for a lovely afternoon walk, while peaks like Broom Hill and Craiglea Hill provide decent rambles without being too taxing. The countryside here rolls rather than soars - it's walking country that suits families and anyone wanting fresh air without Alpine drama.

Getting here is straightforward enough. Perth lies about 16 miles south, with regular bus connections. The A93 cuts right through town if you're driving from Edinburgh or Glasgow.

Staying at one of the nearby holiday parks makes perfect sense. You're close enough to nip into town for supplies or a pub dinner, but properly positioned for exploring the Angus countryside. The parks around here tend to be quiet, family-friendly spots - ideal for unwinding after a day tramping the hills or discovering those ancient stones.