Schiehallion

The walk up Schiehallion is straightforward enough that you won't need technical kit, but steep enough that you'll feel like you've actually done something by the top. This is a proper hill rather than a gentle stroll - 3,547 feet of Perthshire granite that commands respect without demanding mountaineering experience.

The path starts near Braes of Foss, a short drive from Pitlochry, and climbs through open moorland with views that get progressively better as you gain height. On a clear day you can see across to Ben Lawers and down towards the glens. The ascent takes around two hours if you're moderately fit; another 45 minutes or so to return. Most people allow three to four hours total including a breather at the summit.

It's popular with hill walkers because it's doable without dawn starts or extreme fitness levels, yet feels genuinely wild once you're past the lower sections. Families with older kids (ten plus, realistically) manage it fine, though younger ones might find the relentless gradient tedious. On weekends it gets busy - partly because the route is well-maintained and the car park is accessible from nearby Pitlochry.

If you're camping at Parkdean Resorts Tummel Valley or one of the other parks within a few miles, this makes an excellent day out. It's free to walk, requires only decent boots and waterproofs, and delivers genuine hill-walking satisfaction without needing to commit to a full Ben Nevis-style expedition. Weather changes fast here though - go early, carry a map, and don't dawdle if clouds roll in.