Brown Hill

The walk up Brown Hill takes about forty minutes from Lochwinnoch, and it's genuinely one of those walks where the effort pays off properly. You're looking at decent views across the Lowlands once you get to the top - nothing Alpine, but on a clear day you can see right across to the Clyde Valley, which beats sitting in your caravan scrolling through your phone.

It's a straightforward hill walk rather than a technical climb, so families with older kids will manage fine. Younger ones might find the ascent a bit of a drag, though the path is well-maintained enough. The real appeal here is the relative quietness - you won't be queuing behind hordes of Instagram tourists. Locals use it, dog walkers push past, and that's about it.

The nearest proper settlement is Lochwinnoch itself, a small village that makes a decent base if you're staying at The Pods at Auchenhean just down the road. That's a cracking spot for a night or two if you want something a bit different from your standard holiday park.

Go early morning if you can - the light's better, the hill's emptier, and you'll have the whole Lowlands spread out below you. Bring decent boots. It's free, obviously, and you can spend as long as you want up there, though two hours total usually covers it. Walkers and anyone after a bit of breathing space will get something out of it. History types and those after visitor attractions? This won't scratch that itch.