Creag na Caillich

The walk up Creag na Caillich from Killin is steep, relentless, and absolutely worth the suffering. You're climbing a proper peak here - 2,600 feet of rock and heather that rewards you with views across Loch Tay and deep into the Perthshire hills. The name means "the old woman's crag" in Gaelic, and there's a legend attached about a hag who hurled stones down on unsuspecting travellers. Whether that's true or not, you'll be doing the hurling - sweating, honestly, if you're not used to Scottish hill walking.

It takes roughly three hours up and down for most people, starting from the village itself. The path is well-trodden but unmissable only if you're completely hopeless with navigation. Bring proper boots; this isn't a gentle stroll. The summit is genuinely thrilling on a clear day. You can see right across to Ben Lui on the western horizon, and Loch Tay stretches out beneath you like a map.

Families with older teenagers who enjoy hiking will get something from this. Young kids? They'll likely hate it halfway up. Winter walkers need to know what they're doing - the exposed sections get icy and sketchy.

If you're staying at Loch Tay Highland Lodges just down the road, this makes a cracking morning or afternoon expedition. It's free, there are no official hours, and it's the kind of walk that reminds you why Scottish peaks matter.