Durham Hill

The walk up Durham Hill rewards you with proper views across Castle Douglas and out towards the moorland beyond. It's not a dramatic peak - nothing like the Highlands - but on a clear day you can see right across Dumfries & Galloway, which makes the short climb worth your time.

The ascent itself takes about thirty minutes from the town, following a decent path without anything too steep. You're looking at a straightforward there-and-back outing of an hour or so, which makes it perfect if you're based at one of the local caravan parks like Brandedleys or Mollance Farm and want a leg-stretcher without committing to a full day in the hills. Families with older kids will manage it fine, though younger ones might find the last bit tedious.

What makes this useful rather than unmissable is its location. Castle Douglas itself is worth a poke around - proper little market town - and if you're camping in the area, Durham Hill slots into a morning before heading off elsewhere. The Galloway Forest Park is close enough for a longer expedition if the weather's decent, and there's decent walking all around this part of the Lowlands.

Go early if you can, particularly in summer when Castle Douglas gets busy. There's nothing stopping you climbing it free of charge, and you don't need any kit beyond decent boots. The view won't blow your mind, but it's a solid way to get your bearings of the landscape and burn off some energy.