Craig Chean

Craig Chean rises above Pitlochry like something that's been there long before anyone thought to name it properly. This modest peak won't exhaust you - it's more of a morning outing than an all-day expedition - but the walk up rewards you with proper Highland views without the queues you'd find on Ben Vrackie just across the valley.

The actual climb takes most people between an hour and ninety minutes depending on fitness and how often you stop to catch your breath. The path isn't technical; it's straightforward enough that families with older kids manage it fine, though younger ones might need carrying on the steeper sections. What you get at the top is a 360-degree panorama of Tummel Valley - the river snaking through below, forested slopes rolling away toward Ben Lawers. On a clear day it's genuinely lovely.

This works brilliantly if you're based at Glengoulandie or Parkdean Resorts Tummel Valley just down the road. It's the sort of walk that gets you out of the caravan for a morning without monopolising your whole day, leaving time for the Pitlochry attractions or a proper pub lunch afterwards. Summer's the obvious choice, though autumn does something special with the light through the trees.

Worth doing? Absolutely. Is it the most dramatic hill in Scotland? Not remotely. But it's accessible, quick, and gives real Highland scenery without the faffing about. That's enough.