Drum RIg

The walk up Drum Rig feels like genuine work - there's no messing about with this one. It's a proper hill rather than a casual stroll, rising steeply from the farmland south of Dumfries, and the views from the top repay the effort in full. On a clear day you're looking across the Solway Firth towards the Lake District hills, which is a sight that catches you off guard if you're not expecting the English mountains to loom so large from a Scottish summit.

It's the kind of walk that suits people who actually want a walk, not a tourist attraction with a car park and a café. Families with teenagers will manage it fine; younger kids might find the ascent tedious. The whole thing takes about ninety minutes there and back from the base, depending on fitness and how long you linger at the top. Locals know it well enough, but it doesn't draw the crowds you'd get at better-known peaks.

Practically speaking, it's free - just turn up and go. There's not much to stop at once you're up there, so bring a packed lunch if you want to sit about. The ground can be boggy lower down, so proper footwear matters.

If you're based at one of the caravan parks around Dumfries - Parkdean Southerness is the biggest option - Drum Rig works as a half-day adventure that breaks up a holiday without requiring a long drive. It's not a day-tripper's destination, but if you're staying locally and want actual hills without heading all the way to the Highlands, it does the job.