Drumkeel (An Druim Caol)

The walk up Drumkeel takes you through proper moorland before the view opens out across Dumfries and Galloway. It's not a towering mountain - barely 750 metres - but that's sort of the point. You get genuine hills without the full commitment of a Highland expedition.

The path itself is straightforward enough, though it can be boggy underfoot depending on the weather. Most people allow between an hour and ninety minutes up, though how long you linger depends on the visibility. On a clear day, you're looking across to Loch Ken and towards the Galloway Forest, which is properly lovely. On a damp one, you might as well not bother pushing for the summit.

Castle Douglas is your nearest town for supplies and accommodation - a solid base for the area. If you're staying at Loch Ken Holiday Park, Drumkeel makes an easy afternoon sortie that won't eat into your day. Families with older kids will manage it fine. Younger ones might find it a bit of a slog for what's essentially moorland scenery, though the boggy bits tend to be entertaining.

Bring proper footwear. The moorland drains poorly, and what looks like solid ground will often have you squelching through knee-high water. Midges can be vicious in summer, so pick your season accordingly. Free to access and there's somewhere to park at the foot of the path. Worth doing if you're in the area and the weather's cooperating - but don't make a special trip in low cloud.