Haits Hill

Haits Hill rises above the moorland south of Hawick with the sort of view that makes you forget how much your legs are burning. It's not a massive peak - nothing in the Scottish Borders is - but the walk up rewards you with proper panoramic country stretching into the distance. You get hills rolling away in every direction, and on a clear day the vista reaches far enough to justify the huff and puff.

This is classic Borders walking territory. The ascent takes a good hour or so depending on your fitness and which route you pick, so it's not a morning stroll to knock off before breakfast. Wear decent boots and check the weather - the exposed moorland can turn grim quickly. History enthusiasts will appreciate the deeper context: you're walking through lands that border England, where centuries of cross-border politics and cattle raids shaped the character of both Scotland and its southern neighbours.

Families with confident young walkers will manage it fine, though toddlers won't get much from the walk itself. The real appeal is the effort-to-reward ratio. You're not queuing for anything, there's no entrance fee, and the landscape itself is the entire attraction. If you're based at Stouslie Snugs Luxury Farm Glamping nearby, Haits Hill makes a proper afternoon outing - enough to tire everyone out without eating the whole day. Go when the weather's settled and you've got a few hours of daylight ahead.