Dog-friendly bell tents in Tay Forest Park

Tay Forest Park is a network of forests that are home to some of Scotland’s tallest trees. A good place to start is the Queen’s View Visitor Centre, where you can admire the view over Loch Tummel before continuing to nearby Allean Forest, home to a ruined Pictish ring fort. Faskally, near Pitlochry, and Carie, by Loch Rannoch, both offer easy woodland strolls, and Craivinean boasts spectacular views of the River Tay and a folly. You might spot caipercaillie at the fort at Drummond Hill and in Dalerb. While there are no campsites within the park, there are several just outside, including Inver Mill Farm Holiday Park, which has pitches for tents and tourers close to Caivinean.

Summer is the most popular time to visit the forest park and the surrounding Highland Perthshire area. The season can bring crowds and booked-up campsites so try to avoid travelling during the Scottish school holidays in July and August. Autumn is a very attractive alternative as the forests will be rich with reds and golds. Spring through autumn is the best time for spotting wildlife, such as red squirrels, red deer and the rare capercaillie.

• The main visitor centre is at Queen’s View. There you can get information, buy souvenirs and have a bite to eat in the coffeeshop.
• Be sure to follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code while out and about.
• There is a bus stop at Kenmore, which is a short walk from the Drummond Hill entrance. You can also catch buses to Faskally and Queen’s View from Pitlochry.