Gunnars tree

You'll find this ancient Douglas fir standing alone in the Perthshire countryside near Pitlochry, a tree so old it feels like stepping back a few centuries. Gunnars Tree has been here for well over 300 years, and the sheer girth of the trunk stops you dead - it's genuinely impressive in person, the kind of thing that makes you realise how small you are. The story goes that a Scandinavian settler planted it generations ago, though locals have their own versions of how it got its name. There's not much infrastructure around it - no visitor centre or café - you simply turn up and pay your respects to a piece of living history.

You're looking at a 20-minute detour from Pitlochry if you're passing through, and it's absolutely worth that. Walkers and history types will appreciate it more than families with young children, though kids often find the sheer age of the thing captivating. On a quiet morning, you can stand beneath the branches without crowds, which feels proper special. There's limited parking nearby, so go early or late to avoid the day-trippers.

If you're camping at nearby Kilvrecht Campsite, this makes a lovely morning walk before heading to one of the bigger attractions around Pitlochry. It's not a full day out, but it fits perfectly into a Perthshire itinerary where you're mixing woodland walks with quieter moments. Free to visit, as these ancient trees should be.