Scad Hill

The walk up Scad Hill rewards you with proper Highland views across Perthshire, even though at 1,410 feet it's more of a short afternoon jaunt than a full-blown expedition. From Auchterarder, you're looking at a fairly straightforward climb that takes most people between two and three hours there and back, depending on pace and how long you linger at the top.

The path itself isn't marked brilliantly in places, so do bring a map or download an offline route beforehand. Conditions can be boggy lower down, especially after rain, so decent boots are non-negotiable. Once you're up though, the panorama opens out nicely. You can see across to the Sidlaws and beyond, and on a clear day it's the kind of spot where you genuinely understand why people hike in Scotland rather than everywhere else.

Walking families should manage this fine if the kids have decent legs. There's nothing technical about it, and younger children won't find themselves scrambling on rock. History types might appreciate the sense of the Ochil Hills' broader landscape, though there's no summit hut or cairn with much character.

If you're based at Alexander House or Fossoway Cabins nearby, Scad Hill makes for a brilliant half-day out that doesn't eat into a whole afternoon. It's the sort of walk that justifies early breakfast and gets you back in time for a proper lunch. Worth doing, though don't expect solitude or drama - it's accessible without being spectacular.