Knock of Balmyle

The walk up Knock of Balmyle is short, sharp, and properly rewarding. Near Blairgowrie in Perthshire, this modest peak packs more punch than its height suggests - you're looking at a brisk climb that takes most people around 45 minutes to an hour, but the 1,000-foot vantage point over the Highlands is genuinely excellent.

The route itself is straightforward enough, though it can be boggy lower down depending on recent rain, so proper boots aren't optional. What makes it worth the detour is the view. On a clear day you get the Cairngorms laid out to the north, the valley floor properly mapped out below, and on your return you'll spot routes you didn't notice on the way up. It's the kind of hill that works for families who want a proper walk without needing mountaineering skills, and for serious walkers it's a useful half-day filler between longer adventures.

If you're staying at Corriefodly Holiday Park or Glenshee Glamping - both only a few miles away - this makes an ideal morning outing. The peak itself is free to access; you're just walking open moorland. Time it for early autumn when the midges back off and the light starts doing interesting things across the hillside. Summer weekends get busy, so a weekday visit or spring trip feels less crowded. You'll need decent weather to make the effort worthwhile - views matter here, and cloud cover ruins half the appeal.