Dunmore Hill

The walk up Dunmore Hill takes about forty minutes from Pitlochry if you're reasonably fit, and the reward is a proper Highland view that doesn't require mountaineering skills or full kit. You get Perthshire laid out below you - the Tummel Valley, Ben Vrackie across the way, and on a clear day the Grampians pushing up behind. It's not dramatic, but it's solid. The path itself is well-trodden and obvious, starting from the town side, though you'll want decent boots if it's been wet. Most people allow a couple of hours there and back, which is realistic if you're stopping to catch your breath and take photos.

This works well alongside the caravan parks dotted around Pitlochry - Faskally Woods is practically on the doorstep at less than a mile, and it puts you walking distance from town too. Families with teenagers will find it manageable without being dull, though younger kids might flag on the descent. History buffs can combine it with Blair Castle just down the road, though the hill itself is more about the view than any particular story.

Timing matters. Early morning or late afternoon light across the valley is genuinely lovely, and you'll miss the day-trippers who swarm Pitlochry in summer. Winter can be slick underfoot - nothing treacherous, but annoying rather than enjoyable. Spring through autumn is the sweet spot. There's no visitor centre or facilities on the hill itself, so bring water and something to eat if you're making a morning of it.