Creag MacRanaich

The walk up Creag MacRanaich from Lochearnhead is proper straightforward - a couple of hours' climb that rewards you with views across the Lowlands that make the leg-burn worth it. You're looking at Loch Earn spread below, with Ben Vorlich and the Trossachs jabbing up on the horizon. It's not a slog, just a steady pull through moorland and scrubby woodland until the summit opens up.

This is the sort of peak that suits walkers who want something achievable without needing crampons or a survival kit. Families with teenagers will manage it fine if they're used to hills. Older visitors or anyone after an easy stroll should probably give it a miss - there's genuine climbing involved. The real charm is doing it as part of a longer Lochearnhead day, maybe combining it with a walk along the loch shore to warm up, then beers and a decent meal back in the village.

If you're staying at Balquhidder Braes Holiday Park just down the road, this is an obvious option for a decent half-day out. Summer gives you the longest light and the best views; avoid it in proper fog. There's no visitor centre or facilities up top, just the satisfaction of having climbed it and seeing where you've come from. Allow three to four hours return from the main path, depending on fitness.