Big Craigenlee

The walk up Big Craigenlee delivers proper views across the Lowlands without being a brutal slog. Starting from near Newton Stewart, you're climbing through woodland that gradually opens out as height increases, and by the time you reach the summit at around 1,300 feet you can see right across Dumfries and Galloway on a clear day.

It's a solid two-hour round trip for most walkers - nothing ridiculous, but you'll know you've done it. The path is well-trodden rather than officially maintained, which means it stays muddy longer than you'd like after rain. The real appeal here is that it's not crowded. You won't be shuffling along behind a queue of tourists, which makes a difference when you're trying to actually enjoy the landscape.

Families with older kids will get on fine with it. Younger children might struggle with the steep bits, and there's nothing at the summit itself - no cafe, no visitor centre, just views. That's either a bonus or a drawback depending on your outlook. For walkers using Three Lochs Holiday Park as a base, it's an easy drive, giving you a proper morning or afternoon activity without needing to venture far from Newton Stewart.

Best visited on a dry day when visibility is decent - the views are the whole point, and mist kills them stone dead. Go early if you want the car park to yourself, though parking isn't typically an issue around here.