Carleith Hill

The climb up Carleith Hill rewards you with views across Perth and the Tay Valley that make the leg work absolutely worth it. It's not a killer ascent - more of a brisk walk than a proper hike - but it gets you high enough to see the landscape properly spread out below you.

You get a genuine sense of elevation here without needing mountaineering kit. On a clear day the perspectives are excellent, and in autumn the surrounding woodland colours are something special. The hill itself is fairly straightforward to navigate, though it pays to wear decent shoes because the ground can be boggy in patches.

This works brilliantly for families with older kids and anyone after a short leg-stretcher from Perth itself. You won't need more than an hour or so to get up and back down, making it ideal if you're short on time but want to actually feel like you've done something. History types will appreciate the commanding views - this hill has always been tactically important around Perth.

If you're staying at Maycroft Retreat just up the road, it's practically on your doorstep. Even from Gallowhill Caravan Park it's a quick drive. The real benefit is that Carleith slots perfectly into a half-day itinerary without dominating your schedule - climb it in the morning, grab lunch in Perth town centre, then move on to whatever else you've got planned. Weather-dependent, obviously, but time it right and you've got a cracking viewpoint that most visitors to the area never bother with.