Perthshire

Branklyn Garden is home to an outstanding collection of exotic, rare and unusual plants. Established almost 100 years ago, this charming garden was cultivated by Dorothy and John Renton, who sourced seeds from the most eminent plant hunters of the 1920s.

Ben Lawers National Nature Reserve offers a range of walks for all abilities and levels of fitness, including a child-friendly, 1 mile caterpillar trail. Ben Lawers itself is Scotland’s tenth-highest Munro at 3,984ft (1,214m).

At 407m, Craigower is considerably smaller than Ben Lawers, but the views from the summit are equally outstanding – Loch Tummel, Loch Rannoch and even Glencoe can all be seen from the top.

Situated on the banks of the River Tay, Dunkeld is one of the most picturesque towns in Perthshire. The Trust has sympathetically restored 20 of the historical houses in the square around the old market cross, although they are not open to the public.

On 27 July 1689, the first shot was fired in the Battle of Killiecrankie, one of the goriest clashes in Jacobite history. The visitor centre gives you all the background to the battle, as well as information about the area’s geology, wildlife and history. You can also visit the famous spot where a Redcoat soldier leapt for his life across the River Garry.

Linn of Tummel is the point where the rivers Garry and Tummel meet. The circular walk takes you along riverbanks, through woods and over footbridges, providing spectacular views all the way.

A 1.5 mile walk at the Hermitage leads to Ossian’s Hall, an unusual folly built in the 18th century to provide a thrilling vantage point over the roaring torrent of the Black Linn Falls.