Fortingall Yew

The ancient yew tree at Fortingall Church is genuinely one of those places that makes you stand still for a moment. It's an absolutely massive specimen - somewhere between 3,000 and 5,000 years old, depending on which expert you ask - and the sheer presence of it hits you straightaway. You'll find it in the churchyard itself, gnarled and enormous, with a protective stone wall around it to keep eager tourists from clambering all over the thing.

It's not a formal tourist attraction with a visitor centre or anything like that. Just walk through the gate, pay your respects to the tree, and that's your lot. The whole experience takes about fifteen minutes unless you're the type to sit on a bench and contemplate mortality, which, fair enough, the ancient yew does tend to inspire.

Perfect for anyone into natural history or archaeology - the sort of people who get genuinely moved by standing near something that was already ancient when the Romans turned up. Less thrilling for small children who'll want to know why a tree is interesting. Pitlochry is nearby if you need proper facilities or lunch afterwards.

The village location makes this an easy slot into a wider Perthshire itinerary. Glengoulandie Camping and Caravanning is only a few miles away and highly rated, so you could easily pair it with other walks and lochs in the area. Late spring through early autumn is best - fewer midges than midsummer, and the light's lovely.