Doughnot Hill

The walk up Doughnot Hill takes about forty minutes from the car park, and it's proper straightforward - nothing technical, just a steady climb through mixed woodland with the Stirling area spreading out below you as you gain height. The summit itself isn't dramatic, but on a clear day you get decent views across the Lowlands toward the Campsies and beyond. It's the sort of hill that rewards you without demanding much in return.

This works best for families with older kids or casual walkers who want an hour's exercise without committing to a full day's trek. You'll see folk in walking boots and others in trainers, which tells you everything about the difficulty level. The woodland keeps things interesting enough that younger children won't complain too much about the gradient, though it's not a playground.

Stirling town is your nearest proper stop for supplies or a post-walk pint. If you're based at one of the Loch Lomond parks - Loch Lomond Retreat is well-regarded and sits just four and a half miles away - Doughnot makes an easy morning or afternoon addition to your stay. It's close enough not to eat into your day, but far enough away that it feels like a proper outing rather than a lap around the caravan park.

Go early if you're after peace and quiet, and wear decent boots because the path gets muddy after rain. Free to walk, obviously - it's a Scottish hill.