Amble from Pitlochry to the idyllic Loch Faskally. Grab the kayak, your dryrobe,  your hiking boots and a good, old-fashioned picnic for the perfect day-out. 

The five Glen Glack Cabins feel like modern takes on the Highland bothy – simple in spirit but with every creature comfort you could wish for. Perched on stilts over glassy Cally Loch, they’re clad in Atholl larch, painted in soft estate colours, and named after native trees, with calming interiors made for switching off. Each has its own character (not to mention wood-burning stoves and board games), but Juniper is the real star: a snug one-bedroom hideaway with a private deck and an outdoor bath where you can soak under the stars. Step outside and you’re straight into a world of red squirrels, otters, and forest trails, with the bustle of Dunkeld just down the road.

Proving that you don't need to pop over the channel to get your hands on those ever-so buttery delights is ARAN. A lemonade factory, a dental practice to a now, much-preferred, artisan bakery. Pop by for a spelt and sesame sourdough and the weekly fill of croissants and stay for the roasted pear, whipped goats cheese and walnut focaccia. 

This sprawling 145,000-acre playground in Highland Perthshire skirts the Cairngorms National Park. Curl up in a charming Highland lodge or a cosy shepherd’s hut, and wake up to misty hills, deer grazing nearby, and the gentle sound of the River Tilt. By day, explore over 50 miles of waymarked trails, try your hand at fly-fishing, or join a ranger-led foraging walk. When hunger strikes, head to the Tullibardine Restaurant at Blair Castle for seasonal, locally sourced dishes with a view of the private gardens.