Balduff Hill

The walk up Balduff Hill takes you out of Blairgowrie on a route that's steep enough to warrant proper legs but not so brutal that you'll hate yourself halfway. The summit rewards you with views across Perthshire that stretch far enough to make the climb feel justified - clear day and you can see properly far. It's a straightforward hill walk rather than a technical scramble, so families with older kids and regular walkers will get on with it fine. The younger ones might struggle with the gradient, though.

You're looking at a couple of hours there and back depending on fitness and how long you dawdle at the top. There's no café, no facilities, no entrance fee - just get yourself to the trailhead and crack on. Early morning is best if you want to dodge other walkers, and the views are crisper before afternoon heat haze sets in.

If you're staying at one of the nearby parks - Nethercraig, Five Roads, or Blairgowrie Holiday Park are all within easy striking distance - this makes a solid morning activity before lunch. It's not a massive undertaking, which means you could combine it with something else locally without feeling rushed. The Perthshire countryside is proper good for walking, and Balduff is the sort of straightforward hill that proves why people keep coming back to this area.