Craig Kynachan

The walk up Craig Kynachan from Pitlochry isn't long, but it's steep enough to earn the views. You're climbing through mixed woodland at first, then the trees thin out and suddenly you're looking down the length of Loch Tummel with the higher peaks rising beyond it. The summit itself is modest - a rocky outcrop rather than a dramatic peak - but that's rather the point. This is a proper hill walk, not a scramble, and perfect for a couple of hours of fresh air without needing a full day's commitment.

Most folk do it as a morning adventure from Pitlochry town, which sits about twenty minutes' drive away. It's free, naturally, and the path is well-trodden enough that you won't spend time guessing which way to go. Families with teenagers will find it manageable; younger children might struggle with the gradient. History buffs won't find much up there beyond the landscape itself, but the views across Perthshire alone justify the effort.

Stay at Parkdean Resorts Tummel Valley Holiday Park and you're practically on the doorstep - less than a mile away - making this an ideal half-day break between exploring Loch Tummel's other attractions or venturing further into the Highlands. The peak works well alongside visits to the Pass of Killiecrankie or Queen's View, both close by. Go early in the day if you value solitude; the path gets busier as afternoon settles in.