Meall Tàirneachan

The walk up Meall Tàirneachan from Pitlochry takes about two hours, climbing through mixed woodland before opening out onto moorland with proper Highland views across the Tummel Valley. It's a modest peak at 901 metres, so don't expect anything dramatic - but that's rather the point. The route is straightforward enough for fit walkers, though the final push gets a bit steep and boggy depending on recent weather.

What you get is a genuine sense of having earned the views without needing to be a mountaineer. On a clear day you can see across to Ben Vrackie and the surrounding ridges, and the light changes across the valley throughout the afternoon. The descent follows the same path, which means you know what's coming, and you're back in Pitlochry by late afternoon.

It works well as part of a longer exploration of the area - Parkdean Resorts Tummel Valley Holiday Park sits just a few miles away, making it easy to base yourself nearby. Walkers will get the most from this, particularly those who enjoy Scottish moorland without the commitment of a full-day Munro. Families with younger children might find the bog sections tedious on the way down, and the woodland section lacks the drama that keeps kids interested.

Free to access, no permits needed. Allow three to four hours return, and pick a day when the forecast is decent - the views disappear entirely if cloud rolls in. Worth doing once if you're in Perthshire, though it's not the sort of peak you'd travel hours specifically to climb.