Cnoc Tom

The walk up Cnoc Tom isn't long, but it's steep enough to remind you why you came. This viewpoint near Pitlochry sits above the town like a natural grandstand, and on a clear day the Perthshire hills roll out in front of you in proper layers - distant, indistinct ridges giving way to clearer slopes and the River Tummel winding below. It's the kind of view that makes the climb worthwhile, though it's not a casual stroll. Allow an hour there and back, more if you want to sit about at the top.

Best for walkers who don't mind a bit of gradient and anyone wanting a proper Perthshire panorama without the commitment of a full Munro. Families with older kids manage it fine, though younger ones might grumble on the way up. The viewpoint itself is free, naturally - you're just climbing a hill.

Timing matters here. Mornings are clearer than afternoons when hill mist rolls in, and autumn gives you the sharpest air. Winter can be muddy underfoot, so proper boots help. If you're staying at Milton Of Fonab Caravan Park or Grandtully Station Campsite - both within a couple of miles - this makes an excellent morning outing before exploring Pitlochry proper. Faskally Woods Holiday Park, a bit further out, uses the same logic. It's not the highest viewpoint in Scotland, but it's positioned just right to show you why people come back to this corner of Perthshire year after year.