Margmony Hill

The walk up Margmony Hill takes about ninety minutes from the car park near Thornhill, and it's a proper no-nonsense Lowland climb - steep in patches, muddy in others, but nothing that'll stop a moderately fit walker. The views from the top make it worthwhile: you're looking out across the Nithsdale valley with the Southern Uplands rolling away to the north, and on a clear day you can see far enough to make the effort feel justified.

It's not dramatic like the Highland peaks, but that's rather the point. This is honest countryside walking without the crowds. Families with older kids will manage fine; younger ones might find the slog tedious. The terrain's variable enough to keep things interesting - woodland sections give way to open moorland, and the final push takes you through heather that can be waist-high depending on the season.

There's no facility to speak of at the summit, so pack a decent flask and something to eat. The weather can turn quickly up here, so waterproofs aren't optional. Allow three hours if you're stopping for lunch at the top.

If you're based at Penpont Holiday Park just down the road, this works well as a half-day excursion. It's the sort of walk that doesn't appear in guidebooks, which means you'll likely have the hill to yourself. Worth the drive to Thornhill on that basis alone.