Ochil Hills Wall Art

Often bypassed in favour of the Highlands, the Ochils are a walker's paradise.

Stretching north-east between the historic cities of Stirling and Perth and sandwiched between the River Forth and the highland boundary, the huge, almost vertical southern escarpment is visible from across east-central Scotland and is particularly prominent from the M9 as it heads towards Stirling.

Beyond Stirling, the M9 becomes the A9, rounding Dumyat and Sheriffmuir and veering back east along the gentler northern side of the range towards Perth.

They were known to the ancient Celts that occupied Central Scotland as "uchel" - The High Place.

It is a name well deserved. Eleven of the hills are over 2000ft high: Ben Cleuch, Andrew Gannel Hill, Ben Buck, King's Seat, Tarmangie, Whitewisp, The Law, Blairdenon, Ben Ever, Greenforet Hill and Innerdownie. Of these, all are classed as Donalds - hills over 2000ft with a drop of at least 50ft all around - except The Law, Ben Buck and Greenforet Hill.

Another five of the hills are classed as Marilyns - those with a prominence over 150 metres. These are: Ben Cleuch, Dumyat, Innerdouny Hill, Lendrick Hill and Steele's Knowe.

At less than an hour's drive from both Glasgow and Edinburgh, these hills offer an easily accessible escape from the rigours of city life.