Coom Dod

The walk up Coom Dod from Biggar isn't long, but it's proper rewarding. You're climbing to 540 metres across open moorland - nothing dramatic in the grand scheme of Scottish peaks, but the views back towards the Lowlands are genuinely worth the effort. On a clear day you can see for miles. The approach is straightforward enough for families with older kids, though the path gets boggy in places after rain so wellies aren't a bad shout.

This is walker territory first and foremost. You won't find gift shops or car parks right at the summit - it's proper countryside. Most people allow an hour or two depending on fitness and whether you're stopping to take photos. The moorland feels exposed and peaceful, a nice contrast to the tourist-heavy peaks further north. If you're based at Mount View Caravan Park just outside Biggar, Coom Dod makes a half-day outing that doesn't eat into your holiday schedule.

Go when the weather's settled. The Scottish Lowlands can turn wet and misty quickly, and without views, you're just trudging through heather. Winter's a non-starter unless you fancy bog-walking in the dark. Summer's your safest bet, though even then, pack a waterproof - this is South Lanarkshire, after all. It's free, it's quiet, and it beats another lap of the caravan park.