Lochroan Hill

The walk up Lochroan Hill rewards you with views across the Galloway countryside that stretch for miles on a clear day. It's not a dramatic peak - you're in the Lowlands after all - but that's rather the point. The climb from Castle Douglas is gentle enough for families with older kids, though the final push gets a bit steep for what it is.

This is proper walking country, the kind where you notice things as you go: dry stone walls, moorland grouse, the way the light changes across the valleys. Allow a couple of hours for the round trip if you're not rushing. The summit itself is modest - you won't find a cairn or a cafe - but standing up there gives you a real sense of the landscape spreading out below.

Historically minded walkers will appreciate the connection to Galloway's past, though you won't find much interpretation on the hill itself. It's the sort of place that rewards having a map and taking time to spot landmarks rather than looking for plaques and signage.

If you're camping at Loch Ken Holiday Park or Mollance Farm Caravan Park, both within a few miles, this makes a decent half-day outing. Castle Douglas is your nearest town for supplies and parking. Go early in the day if weekends are busy - it's popular locally. Free to access, naturally, and worth doing on a windless day when the views properly open up.