West Dron Hill

The walk up West Dron Hill takes you through proper Perthshire countryside, climbing steadily from the outskirts towards views that stretch across the Tay Valley. It's not a punishing ascent - more of a determined trudge than a scramble - but the reward is genuine: on a clear day you can see right across to the Ochil Hills and beyond. The summit itself is modest, crowned with moorland that feels genuinely wild despite being so close to Perth.

This is walkers' territory. History enthusiasts might enjoy it less unless they're into tracing old drove routes across the landscape. Families with younger kids should allow a good two to three hours for the round trip, accounting for the uneven ground and the fact that little legs tire on inclines. The paths are generally well-trodden but can be boggy depending on the weather, so proper boots are essential rather than optional.

Free to access, naturally - it's open country. The best time is April through October when the ground is drier and the light lingers longer. Winter can be bleak and visibility poor.

If you're based at Maycroft Retreat, barely twenty minutes away, West Dron Hill works brilliantly as a morning outing before heading into Perth itself. It's the sort of walk that doesn't demand much planning, just decent weather and halfway sensible footwear. Perth Caravan Park is a touch further out, but still within easy reach for a day trip.