Forest of Glenartney

The Forest of Glenartney spreads across a proper chunk of Perthshire woodland just outside Callander, and it's the kind of place that rewards you for actually getting out of the car and walking into it rather than just driving past. You're looking at native pine forest mixed with birch and oak - genuine Caledonian woodland that's been here for centuries, not some manicured plantation.

Walkers will find this genuinely worthwhile. The trails wind through deep forest where you've got a decent chance of spotting red squirrels, roe deer, and if you're lucky, golden eagles circling overhead. It's atmospheric in the way that Scottish forests are - a bit moody, a bit wild, and completely free of the crowds you'd get at more famous spots. Allow anything from an hour for a short ramble to half a day if you're planning a proper hike.

History buffs might appreciate that you're walking through landscape that's been hunted and lived in for thousands of years, though there aren't visitor facilities or interpretation boards to spell it out for you. That's either refreshing or frustrating depending on your mood.

It works brilliantly as part of a wider Callander-based holiday. You're close to Callander Woods and Keltie Bridge caravan parks, both excellent bases, and Loch Earn Leisure is just down the road if you want lakeside options too. The forest is free to access, which means you can pop in without overthinking it. Admission's open access, so go whenever suits you - early morning gives you the best wildlife spotting light.