Culcrieff Wood

Walk into Culcrieff Wood just outside Crieff and you're in proper forest - tall conifers, the ground soft with needles, paths that actually lead somewhere rather than peter out after fifty yards. It's the sort of place where you can lose an hour without realising, especially if you've got kids who need to burn energy or a dog that needs a proper run.

The wood sits on rising ground, so there are decent views back towards Crieff once you climb a bit. Nothing dramatic, but enough to make the walk feel purposeful. The paths are well-trodden and manageable for families, though it's muddy after rain - proper Perthshire conditions. Allow an hour to ninety minutes if you want to do it justice without rushing.

When you're basing yourself at one of the nearby caravan parks - Braidhaugh Holiday Lodge is closest, just 1.4 miles away - this makes a solid morning outing before heading into Crieff for lunch or a look around the shops. Comrie Croft, a few miles further south, is handy too if you're making a circuit of the area. The wood won't take your breath away, but it's genuine woodland walking without needing a map or specialist kit, and that's often exactly what a holiday needs. Free to access, no nonsense, no gates. Just trees and paths.