Hakespie Hill

The walk up Hakespie Hill takes about forty minutes from Lanark, and it's steeper than you'd expect from the map. What makes it worth the effort is the view across the Clyde Valley - on a clear day you can see right across to the Southern Uplands. The summit itself is modest, nothing dramatic, but the perspective of the landscape spreading out below you justifies the climb.

This is proper walking territory, not a stroll. The path can get boggy depending on the weather, so decent boots matter. You're looking at two to three hours round trip if you're taking it steady, longer if you stop to admire the views or let kids explore. It's the sort of hill that appeals to walkers wanting something with genuine character rather than a quick outing - the reward is genuinely there if you put the work in.

Families with older children who enjoy a proper hike will get the most from it. Younger kids might find it a bit of a slog just for a hilltop. If you're based at Ecosse Glamping nearby, it makes a brilliant morning or afternoon walk, and you'll have proper tired legs by dinnertime. Start early if you can - the light across the valley is best before midday, and the hill can feel exposed when the weather turns.