Kirkholm Hill

The walk up Kirkholm Hill is short enough to do before lunch but steep enough to catch you out if you're not concentrating. It's one of those Scottish Lowland summits that doesn't look like much from the car park - proper humble, really - but the views across to the Solway Firth and into Dumfries & Galloway proper make the slog worthwhile.

The hill sits just outside Stranraer, which means you can knock this off without losing half a day to driving. The path is well-trodden and manageable for reasonably fit families, though small children might find the gradient tiresome on the way up. Allow about an hour return if you're not dawdling. The summit itself is modest - no trig point drama - but on a clear day you'll see right across to the English side of the border.

It's best visited in the autumn or winter when the Scottish sky actually clears, rather than during the muggier months when cloud sits right on the hill and you'll see precisely nothing. Come early to avoid the midday crowds, though honestly it's rarely rammed.

If you're staying at Sands of Luce Holiday Park just down the road, Kirkholm Hill works nicely as a morning stroll before settling into proper park life. It's not a destination in itself - don't drive an hour to do this one - but if you're already in the area, it's a solid half-day with decent views and no entrance fees to faff about with.