Tay Forest Park

The Tay Forest Park spreads across thousands of acres of proper Scottish woodland, and it's the kind of place that makes you understand why people move to Perthshire and never leave. You're looking at a mix of commercial forestry and genuine wild spaces, threaded through with walking trails that range from gentle riverside strolls to proper leg-burners up into the hills. The river itself - the Tay - is the real star here, and watching it from various vantage points along the paths never gets old.

Most people base themselves near Pitlochry and use the forest as their playground. Walkers absolutely love it; there's enough variety that you can spend a week here and not repeat a route. Mountain bikers come for the designated trails, though these tend to be technical rather than beginner-friendly. If you've got kids, the shorter loops near the main access points work well enough, though they'll probably get restless after an hour or so unless they're the type who genuinely enjoy spotting birds and squirrels.

There's no charge to access most of the forest, which is brilliant. Allow anywhere from two hours for a gentle walk to a full day if you're tackling some of the longer routes. Spring and autumn are best - summer can get busy and boggy, winter's muddy. The proximity to Parkdean Resorts Tummel Valley Holiday Park, just under two miles away, makes this an obvious choice for a week's holiday base. You're close enough to pop in for an afternoon, far enough away that it never feels crowded.