Ochtertyre

The Roman fort at Ochtertyre sits just outside Crieff, though you'd be forgiven for missing it on first glance. What remains are earthwork ramparts and ditches - the bones of a structure that once housed Roman soldiers guarding this corner of Perthshire. It's not dramatic in the way Hadrian's Wall is dramatic, but if you're interested in how the Romans actually occupied Scotland, this is the real thing.

You get the sense here that you're standing on genuinely important ground. The fort controlled movement along the Tay valley, and walking the perimeter - which takes maybe thirty minutes without rushing - you can trace the original defensive lines. The site is free to visit and open access, which means you can show up whenever suits you. Bring decent boots though; the ground gets boggy and the earthworks aren't exactly well-trodden paths.

History enthusiasts will find this more rewarding than casual visitors. Kids under ten might struggle with the lack of interpretation boards and visible structures - it requires a bit of imagination to picture what stood here nearly two thousand years ago. But if you're combining this with a stay at one of the nearby holiday parks - Comrie Croft is closest at under two miles - it's an easy morning walk that adds genuine substance to a Perthshire break. The Crieff area has decent bones for a few days' exploring, and this gives you something concrete to anchor your wanderings to.