Loch Skeen

The walk up to Loch Skeen is the proper thing here, not just the destination. Starting from near Moffat, you'll climb through moorland that gets properly steep towards the end - about 45 minutes of solid ascent to reach the loch itself. Once you're there, it's dramatic: a small, dark water surrounded by high cliffs with a waterfall tumbling down one side. The cirque basin gives it an almost Alpine feel, which is saying something for the Scottish Lowlands.

Walkers and photographers will love this. It's not a casual stroll - you need decent boots and a bit of fitness - but the payoff justifies it. Kids who can handle a proper hike and don't mind a bit of scrambling will find it exciting, though younger children might struggle with the gradient. The whole trip takes about two hours from start to finish depending on your pace and how long you dawdle at the top.

There's no cafe, no facilities, nothing - just you and the landscape. That's precisely what makes it worth doing. If you're basing yourself at one of the holiday parks near Moffat, this beats a leisurely afternoon sat indoors. Late spring through early autumn is best - the waterfall's most impressive after rain, and the midges are less vicious higher up. Free to visit, obviously, and genuinely worth the trip.