This weekend’s planned hill was Ben Vrackie, an 841-metre high hill which towers above Pitlochry.

Its proximity to Pitlochry means that it is very popular and has a well-marked route to its summit.

When I planned this walk back in January, I was fairly confident that it would be free of snow - after all we were well into spring and I had previously enjoyed a heatwave on this hill one April day a few years ago.

However, despite a warm Easter and reliable information that the hill was in summer conditions, the weather on the day had other ideas.

By the time we parked at the small car park just up from the village, the morning’s sleet showers had stopped. However they had left our chosen hill covered in a blanket of white.

It was with much trepidation that we set off. Alternative plans had been made should the hill prove too difficult in the conditions and few of the 11-strong group thought we would reach the summit.

The approach to the hill is along a well-made path designed to cater for the many tourists who flock to Pitlochry and we made good progress.

Soon we reached the small lochan at the foot of the hill. From this point the hill towers up steeply and whilst the path is still well made, its gradient means that it forms what must be the longest flight of steps in Scotland.

It was decision time, the cloud was clearing off the hill, but it still looked snowy. Doubtful looks were exchanged before a decision was made to “go for it”.

We climbed steadily up the staircase of a path. Rushing would have been wrong, both for the risk of a slip and because we figured the slower we were , the more chance of a view at the summit. The steps were snow-covered, but not icy or slippery and only for a few minutes near the top were we kicking steps in the snow.

The summit appeared sooner than we expected, always a nice surprise, and our slow and steady pace meant we were rewarded with a fine view over the Perthshire hills.

We didn’t linger long on the summit, pausing only for photos.

The descent was similarly slow, as the weather was clearing to give far-reaching views and we wanted to take them in.

We were soon back at the level path and walking happily back towards the car park, pausing only to take photos of our hill which seemed to be becoming less white by the minute Soup and chips at the Moulin Hotel rounded-off an excellent day that had started out less than promisingly, but ended up being a great success.