St Catherines Tower

The tower itself is the thing - a proper Victorian folly that catches you off guard when you round the bend near Blairgowrie. St Catherine's sits on high ground, substantial and unexpected, the kind of structure that makes you wonder what possessed someone to build it out here. Inside, it functions as a small museum dedicated to local history, though the real draw is climbing the spiral staircase. The views across Perthshire from the top are genuinely good, spreading out over farmland and hills that ripple toward the horizon.

It's not a sprawling attraction - you're looking at maybe an hour including the climb, less if stairs aren't your thing. Works best for walkers and history types rather than fidgety kids, though teenagers might surprise you with interest in the architecture. The tower has that satisfying heft of something built to last, Victorian ambition made stone.

If you're staying at Blairgowrie Holiday Park or Corriefodly just down the road, it's an easy morning visit before heading elsewhere. Erigmore and Beech Hedge are a touch further out but still manageable. Check locally for current opening times - these smaller museums can be patchy with hours - but the effort to get details sorted beforehand pays off. On a clear day especially, the climb's worth it for the perspective alone.