Cat's Cave

You'll need a bit of scrambling and a good torch to get the most from Cat's Cave, a modest sandstone cavity tucked into the Perthshire landscape near Perth. It's not a sprawling underground system - more a rocky overhang with genuine archaeological credentials, though the name itself remains something of a mystery. Local lore suggests wildcats sheltered here once, though evidence is thin on the ground.

The cave sits roughly three miles from Perth's town centre, making it perfectly feasible as a half-day outing from either Scone Camping and Caravanning Club Site or Perth Caravan Park. The approach involves a bit of a walk and some uneven terrain, so it's better suited to families with kids aged eight or upwards who don't mind getting their boots dirty. History enthusiasts will find it worthwhile - there's genuine Bronze Age material scattered across the cave floor, though you'll want to respect the site and leave finds where they lie.

Alloc an hour from car park to cave mouth and back. Bring proper footwear, a headtorch, and leave the flip-flops behind. It's free to visit and there's no visitor centre or facilities, so come prepared. The real appeal lies in the sense of actually doing archaeology, however modest - you're not queuing behind coach parties or following a prescribed route. On a clear day, the views back across the Tay Valley make the scramble worthwhile. Pair it with a woodland walk through the nearby Kinnoull Hill reserve or Perth's riverside paths, and you've got a cracking day sorted.