Pitlochry

The salmon leap at Pitlochry's dam might draw crowds, but this Highland town's real charm lies beyond the tourist coaches. Perched on the River Tummel, it serves as a proper gateway to some of Scotland's most dramatic scenery. The main street bustles with whisky shops and tartan outlets, yet venture five minutes from the centre and you're surrounded by serious Highland country.

Castle Dow dominates the eastern horizon - a proper peak that rewards the climb with sweeping views across Perthshire's patchwork of lochs and forests. Below, Loch na Bà and the twin Pitcastle Lochs offer quieter spots for reflection, especially on weekday mornings when the tour groups haven't arrived. The Highland Chocolatier provides the perfect excuse for a mid-exploration sugar fix.

Archaeology buffs will find plenty to poke around. Clachan an Diridh Stone Circle sits quietly in farmland south of town, while the Milton of Tullypowrie site reveals traces of ancient settlement patterns. These aren't signposted attractions - you'll need OS maps and a bit of determination.

Getting here couldn't be easier. The A9 sweeps you north from Perth in under an hour, while the railway station connects directly to Edinburgh and Glasgow. Pitlochry makes an excellent base for exploring both the Cairngorms and the western Highlands, though many visitors never venture beyond the Festival Theatre.

Staying at one of the nearby holiday parks means you can escape the town's evening quiet. Faskally Woods Holiday Park puts you right among the conifers, while spots like Milton Of Fonab Caravan Park offer riverside pitches. After a day scrambling up Creag Craiggan or hunting for archaeological remains, returning to your own space beats fighting for a pub table.