Little Quarry Hill

The walk up Little Quarry Hill takes about twenty minutes if you're moving at a decent pace, and you'll pass an old quarry face on the way - hence the name, though it's hardly dramatic. The summit itself sits just shy of 300 metres, which means you get proper views across North Ayrshire without the knee-battering climb you'd face on the higher stuff nearby. On a clear day you can see right across to the coast.

It's the sort of hill that works brilliantly for families who want to say they've "done" a peak without turning it into an all-day mission. Older kids enjoy spotting the industrial heritage - there's real history in that old quarry workings - and the path is straightforward enough that you won't spend the whole time negotiating tree roots and bog. Adults after a brisk leg-stretch will find it satisfying rather than thrilling.

The real sell is how it fits into a broader day out in the area. Base yourself at Parkdean Resorts Sandylands Holiday Park just down the road, and this becomes a morning walk before you head elsewhere. It's not the kind of peak you'd drive across the country for specifically, but if you're already in Ayrshire, it's absolutely worth the detour. Free to visit, as these Scottish hills are, and there's decent parking nearby.

Best visited when the ground's reasonably dry - winter mud here can be sticky and genuinely annoying. Spring or early autumn hits the sweet spot.