Creag Ruadh

The walk up Creag Ruadh from Crieff isn't a slog - it's a proper hill rather than a mountain, which means most people can manage it without needing a sherpa. The summit sits at 650 metres, and on a clear day you're looking across the Strathearn valley towards Ben Vorlich and the wider Perthshire landscape. It's the kind of vantage point that makes you understand why this corner of Tayside feels special.

The approach is straightforward enough, starting from the lower slopes near Crieff itself. You'll spend a couple of hours on the way up, depending on your pace and whether you stop to catch your breath - which you will. The terrain is a mix of moorland and rocky outcrops, nothing technical but enough to keep your legs honest. Walkers will find it rewarding; families with older kids (say, ages 10 plus) can do it, though younger ones might struggle with the sustained climb.

Timing matters. Come early on a weekend if you want any sense of solitude, or visit midweek when it's genuinely quiet. Weather changes fast up here, so check the forecast before you head out.

If you're staying at Loch Earn Leisure Park or Loch Tay Highland Lodges, this works as a morning or half-day excursion. It's close enough to base yourself nearby without eating a full day of your holiday, and it delivers actual views rather than just bragging rights. Not the most dramatic peak in Scotland, but perfectly honest walking.