Bell tents near Dunkeld with hiking

Sitting on the banks of the River Tay, the picturesque Perthshire town of Dunkeld is dominated by its Dunkeld Cathedral. Once you’ve explored the town centre, filled with quaint whitewashed stone houses, you’ll find lots of walking opportunities in the area’s forested hills, as well as mountain bike trails that take you uphill and along the river. Visitors can also kayak or go stand-up paddleboarding in the river or in nearby lochs and spot ospreys in the Loch of the Lowes wildlife reserve. The town is the ideal base for exploring nearby forests and is also within easy reach of the Cairngorms National Park and cities of Perth and Dundee.

Home to tall Douglas firs, The Hermitage’s main attraction is the Black Linn waterfall, which is famously best seen through Ossian’s Hall of Mirrors, a folly created with mirrors, sliding panels, and paintings that creates a dramatic view of the teeming falls. The Hermitage is within walking distance of Dunkeld and has a walking trail that runs for 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometres). Just outside, the tranquil Inver Mill Farm Holiday Park has pitches for tents and tourers.

Summer is the most popular time to visit Dunkeld and the surrounding Highland Perthshire area, but, thanks to the town’s central location, the season does bring crowds and booked-up campsites. If planning to visit in the summer, try to avoid travelling during the school holidays in July and August. Autumn is a good alternative: the forest will be rich with colour and you can spot salmon leaping in The Hermitage’s Black Linn Falls.

• Wild camping is legal in Scotland as long as you follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
• Biting midges are a common nuisance during Highland summers. Don’t forget to pack repellant and long sleeves.
• There is a train station in Dunkeld with service to Perth, Pitlochry, Aviemore and Inverness.
• Dunkeld has a small supermarket, but for bigger purchases, you’d be better heading to Perth.