Earl's Seat

The climb up Earl's Seat takes about an hour from the car park, and the views across the Lowlands make it genuinely worth the leg work. You're looking out towards the Campsies on a clear day, and on really good days you can spot the Pentlands beyond Edinburgh. The peak itself sits at just over 1,000 metres, so it's proper satisfying without being a full mountain expedition.

Walkers will find this one straightforward enough. The path is reasonably well-marked, though it gets a bit boggy in places after rain. You'll see folk of all abilities tackling it on weekends. Families with confident youngsters can manage it easily, though toddlers might struggle with the ascent. The surrounding moorland feels remote even though you're only a short drive from Glasgow, which is the main appeal really.

There's no visitor centre or facilities at the top, so bring water and something to eat if you're planning to linger. The access is free, and you can spend anywhere from two to four hours on the hill depending on your pace and how long you want to sit about taking in the view.

If you're basing yourself at one of the nearby spots like The WHW Hotel & Campsite or Endrick Escape Luxury Glamping, Earl's Seat makes for a proper morning outing. It's not a "tick the box and move on" attraction - the walk itself is the whole experience. In autumn the heather can be lovely, and in winter it's genuinely atmospheric, though the weather turns quickly up there.