Carlavin Hill

The walk up Carlavin Hill near Moffat rewards you with proper views across the Lowlands - nothing fancy, but genuinely good. It's a straightforward fell, the sort that takes an hour or so to bag if you're moving at a decent pace, and the summit gives you space to sit and actually appreciate what's around you rather than fighting for elbow room.

This works best for walkers after something achievable without needing a full day out. Families with older kids will manage it fine; younger ones might find it a bit of a slog on the way up, but the views at the top usually make them forget they were moaning five minutes earlier. The terrain is what you'd expect from Scottish hills - grassy slopes that look forgiving until your legs remind you they're not, occasional rocky bits, the odd boggy patch if it's been wet.

Head out early from Moffat and you'll avoid the weekend crush if there is one, though honestly this isn't the sort of destination that gets rammed. The nearest holiday parks - Riverside among them - sit about six miles away, making this a decent option for a morning walk if you're staying locally and want something with proper views but without the drive to the higher peaks.

Go on a clear day. On a grey one it's just a lot of effort for a damp hillside. Summer's best, though spring and autumn work if the weather plays along.