Neish Island

A small wooded island in the middle of Loch Earn, Neish Island is the sort of spot that rewards a bit of effort to reach. You'll need a boat to get there - it's not a casual pop-over - but that's rather the point. The island itself is densely forested, quiet, and genuinely feels removed from the world despite being just a few minutes' paddle from Crieff.

Walkers and nature types will find the most value here. There's something satisfying about landing on your own little island and picking your way through the trees, though it's not somewhere you'll spend hours. The forest is thick enough to feel properly wild, though you're never far from the water's edge. Photography enthusiasts tend to rate it highly for the light filtering through the canopy and the views back across the loch.

Families with older kids can manage it fine, though young children might find the boat journey more memorable than the island itself. The woodland paths are straightforward enough, nothing technical.

If you're staying at Loch Earn Leisure Park - just 0.7 miles away - or one of the nearby options like Comrie or Twenty Shilling Wood, Neish Island makes a proper adventure for a half-day. You'll want to check locally in Crieff about boat hire arrangements; they're not always obvious to visitors. Best visited when the weather's on your side - it's exposed out there - and allow a couple of hours all in.