Cocklaw Hill

The walk up Cocklaw Hill takes maybe forty minutes from Dunbar and rewards you with proper views across the Firth of Forth. It's not a slog - the path is well-maintained and the gradient's manageable for most fitness levels, though it does get steep near the summit. Once you're up there, you can see right across to Fife on a clear day, and if you catch it in low light the whole landscape turns golden. The hill itself is modest in height but the open moorland around it means there's nothing between you and the view. Walkers absolutely get the most out of this one. Families with young kids might find the final push tedious, but older children who can manage a couple of miles will think it's brilliant. There's a cairn at the top and a few benches - perfect spot for a packed lunch if the wind isn't too fierce. Stay at Belhaven Bay Caravan Park, just down the road near Dunbar, and you've got this walk on your doorstep along with easy access to the coastal paths and the John Muir Way. It's the kind of hill that doesn't take all day but leaves you feeling like you've earned your afternoon cuppa. Clear skies are essential though - on a grey day it's just moorland with decent views. Time it right and it's cracking.