West Schurroch

The walk up West Schurroch rewards you with views across Aberdeenshire that stretch for miles on a clear day. It's a proper Highland peak without the Alpine pretension - rough moorland underfoot, heather turning the slopes purple in late summer, and genuine isolation once you're above the tree line.

This one suits walkers who want a decent pull without needing ropes or expertise. The terrain is boggy in places and the wind can be fierce, so come prepared with proper boots and waterproofs even if the forecast looks promising. Allow a solid three hours there and back from the nearest approach; it's not a quick afternoon stroll.

Blairgowrie sits a handful of miles away and makes a sensible base for the area. Both Nethercraig Holiday Park and Five Roads Caravan Park are close enough that you could easily do this as a day walk from either site - pack a flask and some sandwiches.

The appeal here is pure: no gift shop, no café, no visitor centre trying to tell you what you're looking at. Just you, the moorland, and the view. History enthusiasts might appreciate the old tracks crisscrossing these hills, though there's not much in the way of marked monuments. Families with young children will find it a slog - older kids who enjoy hiking could manage it fine on a decent weather day.

Go for the solitude rather than the views, though on a clear afternoon those views are genuinely worth the effort.