Travel: 24 hours in Aberfeldy

Friday, 3pm Check in at the family friendly Moness House Hotel and Country Club. The hotel is situated close to the Birks of Aberfeldy, which so inspired Robert Burns that he wrote the poem "The Birks of Aberfeldie".

7pm Book into one of the hotel's two restaurants: the Farragon or the more informal Terrace, which has an outdoor seating area handily overlooking the kids' play park.

Saturday, 9am Get yourself going with a Cycling Safari adventure from Highland Safaris. Try the fantastic Drop at the Top, where you and your bike will be driven up the hillside before you are left to your own devices for an exhilarating ride down.

12pm Back at the Safari Lodge, try your hand at gold panning - a guaranteed winner with the kids and just as much fun for grown-ups.

1pm Lunch at the Lodge Caf - great savouries, but leave room for the chocolate brownies.

3pm Get a feel for the history of the Highlands with a visit to Castle Menzies (www.menzies.org), where Bonnie Prince Charlie rested on his way to Culloden in 1746.

Sunday, 10am Be impressed by the stunning scenery on a Mountain Safari with Highland Safaris. A ranger will drive you off-road in this 4x4 experience.

1pm Feed the deer at the deer park, before picnicking in the Safari Lodge grounds and enjoying a woodland walk.

3pm Relax at the Watermill in Aberfeldy (www.aberfeldywatermill.com). The former mill comprises an award-winning bookshop, art gallery and coffee shop.

The Facts Superior rooms at the Moness House Hotel from 105 per night

#on a B&B basis (www.moness.com); Highland Safaris, Aberfeldy (01887 820 071, www.highlandsafaris.net)

• This article was first published in The Scotsman on September 25, 2010