Lochhart's Knowe

The climb up Lochhart's Knowe won't take long, but it's exactly the sort of walk that makes you feel like you've properly earned a sit-down afterwards. From Lanark, it's a straightforward push uphill through mixed woodland before breaking out onto moorland with views that stretch across the Lowlands in decent weather. The summit itself is modest - no trig point drama here - but the perspective over the Clyde Valley makes the effort worthwhile, particularly if you time it right and catch the light hitting the hills to the south.

This isn't a destination walk. It's more of a local's leg-stretcher, the sort of thing you'd slot into a park holiday without making it the centrepiece. The woodland sections can be boggy underfoot, so don't wear your best trainers. Allow an hour there and back if you're moving steadily. Families with younger kids might find the initial push a bit relentless, though older children comfortable with rough paths will be fine.

Where it works well is as a half-day circuit if you're based at somewhere like Ecosse Glamping just down the road. It's close enough to Lanark for a quick morning mission before exploring the town properly, yet far enough into the landscape to feel like proper countryside. Winter visits are chilly and potentially slippery; spring and early autumn are your best bets. Free, naturally, and with no access issues to worry about.