Knock of Crieff

The walk up Knock of Crieff takes about an hour and rewards you with views across Perthshire that stretch for miles on a clear day. It's a proper hill rather than a mountain - 821 metres - but don't let that fool you into thinking it's a doddle. The path climbs steadily through woodland before breaking out onto moorland, and the last stretch gets genuinely steep.

What you get at the top is exactly what you'd hope for: a 360-degree panorama with Ben Vorlich rising to the west and the Tay Valley rolling away below. On good days the Forth estuary comes into view. On grey ones, well, at least you've had the exercise.

Families with older kids will manage it fine, though younger ones might find the push up tedious. It's the sort of walk that rewards preparation - proper boots matter here, the ground's muddy even after dry spells. Allow two to three hours return from Crieff town itself, depending on your pace and how long you linger at the top.

If you're based at Braidhaugh Holiday Lodge just outside town, this makes a brilliant half-day outing. Comrie Croft, a few miles further afield, also puts you within striking distance. The walk connects well with the broader network of Perthshire rambles - you're not isolated up there. Frankly, if you're in the area and the weather cooperates, skipping this would be daft.