Lowmill Knowe

Lowmill Knowe isn't going to stop you in your tracks the way some Scottish peaks do, but that's precisely why it works. This modest hill rises above Sanquhar in Dumfries and Galloway, offering proper views across the Lowland valleys without the slog of something like Merrick further south. The walk up takes a fair while - you're looking at a couple of hours there and back depending on your pace - but it's steady rather than steep, which suits families with older kids and casual hikers who don't fancy scrambling.

What you get at the top is that satisfying sweep of moorland and farmland rolling away to the horizon. On a clear day you can see right across to the hills beyond. It's the sort of place where you actually feel like you've earned your view, even if it's not dramatic. The terrain is rough grassland and heather - bring proper boots, never trainers.

This works nicely as a half-day outing if you're staying at Sunnyside Lodges, just four miles away. Combine it with a wander around Sanquhar itself, which has a decent high street and the ruins of the old castle if you've got time to kill. The peak itself is free and unrestricted, though the Scottish weather being what it is, you'll want to choose your day. Midweek mornings tend to be quieter than weekends, and you'll have a much better chance of seeing anything from the summit.