Meall nan Oighreag

The walk up Meall nan Oighreag, just a few miles from Crieff, takes you to a modest but satisfying peak that rewards the effort with proper Highland views. It's not a dramatic mountain - at 650 metres it's more of a robust hill walk than serious climbing - but it punches above its weight for the effort involved.

The route is straightforward enough for a fit family with older kids, though younger ones might find the ascent a bit relentless. Allow a good three hours for the round trip from the car park. The views from the top sweep across the Perthshire glens and toward Loch Tay, which is useful if you're based at somewhere like Loch Tay Highland Lodges and fancy a half-day excursion.

What you won't get is solitude on a weekend. This is a popular walking spot for good reason, and you'll likely pass other groups on the trail. That said, if you time it right on a weekday morning, it's quiet enough to feel like you've found something worth finding.

Bring waterproof kit without fail - the Scottish weather changes faster than you'd expect, and the exposed sections near the top offer zero shelter. The summit itself is a bit of a plateau rather than a dramatic point, so don't expect a photo opportunity that's going to frame well. But the walk itself is honest and uncomplicated, which counts for plenty in the Highlands.