Ballathie

The remains of Ballathie sit quietly on a bend of the River Tay just outside Perth, and unless you know what you're looking for, you'll walk straight past them. This is a Pictish symbol stone - one of those carved rocks that tell you Scotland had a sophisticated culture long before the Romans showed up. The stone itself is weathered now, the symbols worn smooth by over a thousand years of Scottish weather, but you can still make out the marks if you squint and let your eyes adjust.

It's not a destination that'll eat up your afternoon. Ten minutes here, maybe fifteen if you're really into Pictish art and archaeology. The appeal is less about what you see and more about what it represents - a tangible link to people who lived here when this part of Perthshire was the kingdom of the Picts. History buffs will find it worthwhile; families with young kids might struggle to justify the trip on its own. The location is decent though - right on the Tay, so the walk there is pleasant enough.

Ballathie works best as a stop-off if you're already in the Perth area visiting Beech Hedge or Newmill Farm. Don't drive out specially. Free to visit, obviously - there's nothing to charge for - and open whenever you fancy showing up. Combine it with a riverside walk towards Perth or loop it into a broader Tay Valley route. It's modest, but it's real history, and that counts for something.