Knockamoory

The walk up Knockamoory isn't long, but it rewards you with proper views across Dumfries and Galloway that make the climb worthwhile. This modest peak sits within striking distance of Stranraer, and on a clear day you can see far enough to justify the effort - which is really all you want from a Scottish Lowlands summit.

It's not a gruelling hike. The ascent is manageable for most fitness levels, though the path gets a bit muddy in places and bog is always a possibility in these parts. You're looking at somewhere between 90 minutes and two hours for the round trip depending on your pace and how long you linger at the top. Families with older kids will manage it fine; younger ones might find it tedious if the weather's poor.

The real reason to come is the payoff. Standing at the top gives you that satisfying sense of having actually walked somewhere, rather than just ambled about. The Stranraer area can feel a touch flat on the ground level, so any elevation gain feels significant.

If you're staying at Sands of Luce Holiday Park - just a few miles away - it's an easy morning excursion before heading back for lunch. The park itself offers enough to keep you occupied, but combining it with a few local walks like this one breaks up a week nicely. Go on a clearer day if you can; the views are the whole point, and mist rolling in ruins the experience entirely.