Craig Vinean

The walk up Craig Vinean is a proper lung-burner, but the payoff from the summit justifies every breathless step. This isn't some gentle ramble - it's a solid hill that demands respect, rising steeply above Dunkeld with views across Perthshire that stretch for miles on a clear day.

What you get is moorland walking at its most honest. The path climbs through heather and rough grass, with the River Tay winding below like a silver thread. On the way up you'll spot red kites wheeling overhead - genuinely thrilling if you time it right. The summit itself isn't crowded, which is refreshing. Most visitors seem to miss it entirely in favour of the more famous Perthshire peaks.

Allow two to three hours for the round trip unless you're particularly fit - the ascent is relentless but mercifully short. There's no cafe at the top, obviously, so bring water. Early morning or late afternoon light is best; midday sun bounces off the moorland and gets harsh. Summer's fine but autumn is actually better - fewer midges and that particular golden quality to the heather.

If you're staying at Inver Mill Farm Caravan Park or Erigmore Holiday Park nearby, this makes a cracking half-day outing. It won't take all your time, which means you can combine it with a riverside walk in Dunkeld itself or explore the Tay Valley properly. Solo walkers and couples get far more from this than families with young kids - the steepness rules out pushchairs and bored toddlers.