Loch Scoly

The walk up to Loch Scoly rewards you with one of the quietest views in the Pitlochry area - which, given how rammed the town gets with coach tours, is reason enough to make the effort. It's a proper hill loch, dark water reflecting whatever weather's rolling through, surrounded by moorland rather than the postcard-perfect forestry you see elsewhere round here.

You'll need decent legs and decent boots. It's not a gentle stroll from the village - count on a good two hours up and back if you're not rushing. The track starts straightforward enough but gets steeper as you climb, and there's no café at the top, so bring water. Walkers absolutely get the most from this one. Families with young kids might find it a slog; older children who actually enjoy a hill will think it's brilliant.

Go midweek if you can, or early morning. You won't find crowds, which changes the entire character of the place. The light's often better too - that early clear air before the valley warms up.

If you're staying at Pitilie Pods or Grandtully Station Campsite nearby, this fits perfectly into a Perthshire walking holiday. It's the sort of spot that reminds you why people come to Scotland in the first place. Not Instagram-famous. Genuinely quiet. That matters.