Dalnoid

A number of magical Scottish castles are within an hour by car: you can explore the gardens at Balmoral Castle (45 minutes’ drive), tour rooms full of antiques in 17th-century Braemar (35 minutes) or take a guided tour of opulent apartments at Glamis (40 minutes). Scone Palace (50 minutes) is known for its ornate Palace State Rooms, while Blair Castle (45 minutes) has fine 18th-century interiors filled with displays of weaponry and acres of grounds to wander. When you’d like to explore on foot, there are scenic forest walks to waterfalls at The Hermitage (55 minutes), and a number of riverside trails in the Tay Forest Park (an hour). When you’re visiting in winter and fancy a swoosh down a piste or two, you can be at Glenshee Ski Centre in 15 minutes by car. Discover inspiring design exhibits at the visually stunning V&A Dundee (55 minutes), or watch salmon leaping up the fish ladder on River Tummel from Pitlochry Dam Visitor Centre (40 minutes) between April and August. Whisky aficionados can sample single malts at Blair Athol Distillery (35 minutes), and you can purchase fine cashmere and tartans from The House of Bruar (50 minutes).