Pitlochry

The theatre lights dim and the Highland scenery takes centre stage - that's Pitlochry's daily performance. This compact Victorian town sits pretty in the Tummel Valley, where salmon leap up the famous fish ladder and tourists follow suit, though with considerably less grace.

Pitlochry Festival Theatre anchors the cultural scene with its summer repertory programme, while the High Street delivers proper Scottish hospitality through independent shops and cafes. The town's compact size means you can walk end to end in ten minutes, but that would rather miss the point. Take time to watch the salmon at the Pitlochry Dam Visitor Centre - it's genuinely fascinating, even if you're not normally one for fish.

Munro baggers will find themselves spoilt for choice. Beinn Mholach and An Sgòrr provide testing climbs with cracking views across the Highlands, while gentler souls can explore the Black Wood of Rannoch, one of Scotland's last fragments of Caledonian pine forest. The archaeological enthusiasts among you should seek out Clach na h' Iobairte, though the walk to reach it is half the appeal.

Getting here couldn't be easier - the A9 delivers you straight from Edinburgh or Inverness, while the railway station sits right in the town centre. Perth lies 30 miles south if you need proper shopping.

Staying at one of the nearby parks makes complete sense. Tummel Valley Holiday Park offers direct access to riverside walks, while the glamping options at Tighnavon provide luxury without losing that Highland atmosphere. You'll wake to mountain views and have Pitlochry's attractions on your doorstep - plus easy access to day trips into the Cairngorms or west to Loch Katrine.