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At the core of the country that drains into the River Tay (the nation's longest river) sits a bevy of beautiful lochs, with mountains to match. Ben Lawers, near Killin and overlooking Loch Tay, is one of Britain's top areas for scarce Arctic-Alpine plants. Woods in the heart of Perthshire - such as Blair Atholl, Killiecrankie and Dunkeld - are famous for their large trees and the Black Wood of Rannoch is a signficant remnant of the ancient Caledonian forest.

The Loch of the Lowes, close to Dunkeld, has a visitor centre looking out to a regular osprey breeding site. Nearby Pitlochry Dam is home to a renowned fish ladder where visitors may experience the thrill of travelling wild salmon. Around 5,000 pass through here each summer. When the Tay becomes an estuary, east of Perth, Europe's largest reed beds grow wide.

Further south, visit Vane Farm on Loch Leven where wintering geese make their daily flights. Pink-footed geese peak at over 20,000 each November. The RSPB reserve here has an observation room overlooking the loch, from which you may see ducks, whooper swans, redshank, lapwings and great spotted woodpeckers as well as the aforementioned geese. Perthshire, at the very heart of Scotland, has an unrivalled range of habitats and species. Straddling the Highland Boundary Fault, the area offers the best of both worlds.