Lomond Hills Regional Park

The twin peaks of the Lomond Hills rise abruptly from the Fife countryside just west of Kinross, offering proper hillwalking without the Scottish Highlands faffing about. You get two main summits - West Lomond and East Lomond - both accessible via well-trodden paths that take between two and three hours depending on fitness and how often you stop to admire the view across the Firth of Forth.

This is serious walking country but not brutal. The terrain's mixed - some boggy bits, some rocky scrambling near the top - and the paths are clear enough you won't need a map on a decent day. The real payoff is from the summits: on a clear morning you can see right across to Edinburgh and the Pentland Hills. On a grey day, you get atmospheric cloud and solitude.

Families with older kids (10+) will manage the walk fine, though younger ones might find the climb tedious. History buffs will appreciate the Bronze Age cairns scattered across the hills, though there's not much interpretation on site. The reserve itself is moorland and grassland - lovely for spotting red grouse and the occasional golden eagle if you're lucky, though don't bank on it.

It's free to roam, which is brilliant. Access is straightforward from Kinross. If you're camping at Wild Goose Glamping or Kingdom Caravan Park nearby, this is an excellent full-day outing. Spring and autumn are best - summer can get busy with midges, winter can be muddy and exposed.