Larghan Victory Park

The paths here cut through proper woodland - nothing fancy, just good honest trails with the Tay Valley spreading out below if you pick the right spot. Larghan Victory Park is a nature reserve that does exactly what it says on the tin: gives you access to some decent walking without the crowds you'd find at Cairngorms or Loch Tummel.

It's birch and conifer woodland mostly, with a network of trails that'll take anything from 30 minutes to a couple of hours depending on which way you fancy going. The terrain is generally manageable - no scrambling involved - which makes it sound easier than it sometimes feels on the legs. Worth doing in autumn when the light's properly golden, though spring brings the woodland birds out and that's when real nature spotters should visit.

Historically minded walkers might enjoy the place a bit more, given the name, though the park itself is more about the landscape than interpretation boards. It's the sort of spot where you go to walk, not to learn. Families with younger kids could manage the easier sections, but there's not much to keep them entertained beyond trees and fresh air - no playgrounds or visitor facilities that I could find.

Stay at Blairgowrie Holiday Park or Five Roads just up the road and you've got this on your doorstep. It slots in nicely alongside Blairgowrie's glasshouses and nearby countryside. Not a destination on its own, but absolutely the right call if you're already in the area and want a proper walk without driving an hour.