Dowally

The Roman fort at Dowally sits quietly beside the River Tay, a couple of miles south of Dunkeld, and unless you know what you're looking for, you'll walk straight past it. What remains today are earthwork ramparts - low ridges in the grass that once formed the defensive walls of a second-century auxiliary fort. It's not dramatic, and it won't take long to walk around, but there's something rather compelling about standing where Roman soldiers once stood, watching the same river flow past.

This is one for people who actually enjoy reading placards and imagining what was. Kids under ten will likely find it dull after fifteen minutes - there are no structures to climb or explore, just bumps in the ground. But walkers and archaeology types will appreciate the quietness of it, and the fact you can access it without paying or booking anything.

Allow half an hour if you're thorough, less if you're just passing through. The site sits within reach of several good caravan parks - Inver Mill Farm is closest at under four miles away, with strong reviews, and Erigmore Holiday Park offers more facilities if you need them. It's an easy add-on to a wider Perthshire trip: pair it with walks along the Tay, or head into Dunkeld itself for proper shops and lunch. Best visited on a clear day when the river views are worth the walk. Go out of season if you can - the place belongs to you then.