Mailer Hill

The walk up Mailer Hill from Perth is a proper leg-stretcher - nothing too gnarly, but it'll get your heart going if you're not used to it. From the top you get solid views across the Tay Valley, which on a clear day stretches all the way to the Ochils. It's the sort of local hill that doesn't get mobbed with tourists, which means you might actually hear birdsong instead of ringing phones.

This is walkers' territory rather than a sit-about-and-admire sort of spot. Most people allow between two and three hours for the round trip depending on fitness and how long you loiter at the summit. The path itself is well-trodden enough to follow without faffing about with a map, though the ground can be boggy in wet weather - trainers will do, but proper walking boots are smarter.

If you're camping nearby, Scone Camping and Caravanning Club Site just four miles away is the real deal for a base - five-star rating and you're practically on the doorstep. Perth Caravan Park sits closer at just over two miles if you want something nearer town. The hill works brilliantly as a morning walk before heading into Perth proper for lunch, or a late afternoon outing when the light softens up the valley.

Worth the trip if you're after an honest day on your legs rather than a dramatic summit. It won't set your camera memory card on fire, but it's the kind of place locals actually enjoy.