Blair Atholl And Struan Parish Church

The church sits quietly at the heart of Blair Atholl village, just a short walk from Pitlochry. It's the sort of place you'd stumble upon rather than drive an hour to seek out, but if you're staying at one of the caravan parks nearby - and you definitely should be at Blair Castle Caravan Park rather than River Tilt - it's worth a proper look.

This is a working parish church with real age on it. You get the sense of generations turning up for weddings, christenings, funerals. The interior has that particular smell all old Scottish churches have - stone, wood polish, and time. The graveyard tells stories if you're the sort who reads headstones, which I am. Local names repeated across centuries, families who never left.

It's not going to hold your attention for more than twenty minutes unless you're deeply into ecclesiastical architecture or have a genuine interest in Perthshire genealogy. But as part of a wider walk around Blair Atholl - the castle is the real draw here - it slots in nicely. The setting itself is lovely, the sort of quiet corner you'd miss if you weren't looking for it.

Go if you're in the area for a few days. Don't make it your reason to visit. Check opening times before you turn up, as these smaller churches aren't always accessible during the week.