Travel: 48 hours in Blair Atholl

Friday, midday

At Atholl Estates (www.atholl-estates.co.uk) you are spoilt for accommodation choice – there is everything from camping and caravans, to wooden lodges and grand old stone estate boltholes fit for the Duke of Atholl himself.

1pm

Time for lunch with the Duke, well at least in his palatial Blair Castle (www.blair-castle.co.uk). The Tullibardine Restaurant offers tempting homemade soup, chunky sandwiches and delicious cakes.

2:30pm

Explore 700-year-old Blair Castle on a guided tour. This is the best way to hear about all the anecdotes that bring this historic building to life.

4pm

Explore the castle grounds, enjoying the ornate gardens and snake of footpaths, with a wee forest playpark too. Look for peacock and deer.

7pm

It’s proper Highland Perthshire pub grub at the grand old Atholl Arms Hotel (www.athollarmshotel.co.uk). It’s hearty, filling and ideal after a day yomping around the village and the estate.

Saturday, 10am

Myriad estate activities are available, from clay pigeon shooting and pony trekking, through to ranger led walks and thrilling Land Rover rides.

1pm

The Watermill (www.blairathollwatermill.co.uk) in the village is actually a working 16th century watermill. Buy bread made with grain milled on site and sandwiches filled with local Dunkeld smoked salmon.

5pm

Cross the railway tracks and the A9 with caution and a path weaves its way up the hillside to the west of town, opening up epic views of the estate’s mountains.

7pm

Dine in tonight on local food sourced from the Watermill and the village shops. Afterwards enjoy the stars as there is little light pollution in these parts.

Sunday, 10am

If you’ve driven, curl around to House of Bruar (www.houseofbruar.com) on your way home. You can pick up a tweed jacket or some fresh Perthshire produce. Hike up to the Bruar Falls before lunch at their restaurant.

• Scotrail (www.scotrail.co.uk) runs trains direct to Blair Atholl from many Scottish destinations.