Creag Gharbh

The walk up Creag Gharbh starts deceptively gentle. Leave Crieff heading west and you'll find yourself on a proper Highland slope that builds steadily - nothing dramatic at first, but the grade keeps you honest. The summit sits at 902 metres, commanding views across Perthshire that stretch toward Glen Dochart and beyond. On a clear day, the reward is genuine: moorland sprawling in every direction, with Ben Vorlich sitting across the glen like a neighbour's fence.

This is a walker's hill rather than a stroller's one. Allow three to four hours for the round trip depending on fitness. The paths are well-trodden but can be boggy underfoot, so proper boots aren't optional. It's the kind of climb that feels proper work but never becomes technical - families with teenagers will manage it fine, though younger kids might find the relentless ascent tedious.

Stay at one of the holiday parks clustered around Comrie, just four miles away. Comrie Croft and Twenty Shilling Wood put you ideally placed, with Loch Earn Leisure Park another option slightly further on. These parks make a natural base for exploring the Strathearn area's hills without the tourist crush you'd find further north.

The best approach is from the south, and go early if you want solitude - this hill's popularity with local walkers means summer weekends can feel busy. Midweek in spring offers the sweetest window: firm ground underfoot and clear skies.