The Cuilc

The Cuilc sits just outside Pitlochry, a proper little freshwater loch that rarely gets rammed with tourists despite being minutes from the town centre. You can walk right round it - takes about forty minutes at an easy pace - and the path is well-maintained without being fussed over. Water's dark and peaty, which sounds dull but actually looks moody and atmospheric, especially in the late afternoon when the light hits it right.

Most people come here for a gentle circuit walk rather than anything ambitious. Families with young kids manage it fine; older walkers appreciate it because the terrain is flat and there's no scrambling. The views aren't dramatic - this isn't a mountain lake - but there's something quite calming about it. Midges can be murder in summer, fair warning.

Free to visit, naturally. You can start from the car park near Pitlochry town itself or from Milton Of Fonab Caravan Park if you're staying there - it's just over a mile away. The walk works well as a morning outing before heading into town for lunch, or as a wind-down after exploring the surrounding hills. Given how close Faskally Woods Holiday Park is (mile and a half), this makes sense as part of a broader Pitlochry-based holiday combining easier walks with the more demanding terrain of the Cairngorms nearby. Don't expect drama, but do expect peace and quiet.