Kelton Hill

The walk up Kelton Hill from Castle Douglas rewards you with proper countryside views across Dumfries and Galloway. It's not a mountain - 564 metres isn't going to wind you, but the climb is steep enough to feel like you've earned the panorama at the top. The hill dominates the landscape around Castle Douglas, so you'll spot it constantly as you drive through the area.

Getting up there takes about 45 minutes from the car park if you're moving at a decent pace. The path is clear enough, though it gets boggy in places after rain - standard Scottish hill walking, really. Once you're on top, the Galloway hills roll away to the north and west, and on a clear day you can see right across to the coast. It's the sort of place where you genuinely understand why people hike in Scotland.

Walkers will get the most from this one. Families with younger kids might find it a bit of a slog for the view, though teenagers who can manage the gradient will think it's worth the effort. If you're staying at one of the caravan parks nearby - Mollance Farm or Kippford View are closest - this makes an excellent morning outing before heading into Castle Douglas for lunch.

It's free to walk, naturally. Allow two hours there and back if you're not rushing. Best done in decent weather when the visibility actually rewards the effort. Midges can be biblical in summer, so go earlier in the day or wait for a bit of wind.