Dino Park at Hetland

You'll find yourself walking through genuine Devonian-era rock formations at Dino Park, a nature reserve near Hetland that's got nothing to do with actual dinosaurs - the name's a bit cheeky, to be honest. What you're actually looking at are ancient geological strata and fossil beds that tell the story of Scotland's deep past, long before the big reptiles ever showed up. The reserve itself is a proper walking route through varied terrain, with outcrops of red sandstone and evidence of the Devonian period laid bare if you know what you're looking at.

Geology enthusiasts and keen walkers will get far more from this than casual visitors. If your lot are studying rocks at school, or you're the type who brings a hand lens on holiday, you'll find it genuinely interesting. For everyone else, it's a decent hour's ramble if you're in Dumfries anyway, but don't expect visitor facilities or interpretation boards - this is very much a walk-and-discover setup.

The nearest proper accommodation is a few miles off - Hoddom Castle Caravan Park sits about 4 miles away, with Queensberry Bay another option at 5 miles if you're planning a longer Dumfries and Galloway break. The terrain can be muddy, especially in wet weather, so good boots are essential. Free access appears to be the case, though you'll want to check locally in Dumfries before making the trip out.