Tucked away at the foot of thickly wooded hills, you will discover one of Scotland 's gems - the cathedral town of Dunkeld. And that's not all! Resting on the opposite bank of the river Tay is the Victorian village of Birnam. Together the beautifully restored buildings and rich heritage of these Highland Perthshire sister towns are an inspiration for lovers of history, the arts, music and the outdoors.

The adjoining village of Birnam lies just across the bridge from Dunkeld. Birnam is probably best known for its Shakespearean associations where, in the play Macbeth, the moving of Birnam Wood to Dunsinane, 12 miles (19km) to the south-east, heralded the death of Macbeth. Between Dunkeld and Perth is the Perthshire Visitor Centre, just off the A9 and incorporating a multi-media exhibition that contrasts Shakespeare's character of Macbeth with the real eleventh-century Scottish King.

Our recommended places to stay in or near Dunkeld include:

• Kinloch house
• Hilton Dunkeld House