Millae

The walk up Millae rewards you with proper views across Dumfries and Galloway that make the climb worthwhile. It's not a mountain in the dramatic sense - more of a substantial hill that rises above the rolling farmland south of Castle Douglas - but what it lacks in height it makes up for in accessibility and the sharpness of the panorama from the top.

On a clear day you can pick out the Solway Firth to the south and the higher peaks inland. The ascent itself is straightforward, taking somewhere between 45 minutes to an hour depending on your pace and which approach you take. There's moorland towards the summit and proper views open up as you gain height rather than being saved as a surprise at the top.

History types will appreciate the views over landscape that's shaped centuries of Galloway life, though the hill itself isn't particularly notable archaeologically. Families with reasonably fit kids will manage it comfortably; it's the sort of walk where children don't spend the entire time complaining.

If you're staying at Loch Ken Holiday Park or Galloway Glamping - both within six miles - Millae makes a cracking half-day outing, especially if you want something less demanding than the higher hills further north. Go on a weekday if possible; weekends can see a bit of local foot traffic. The approach from Castle Douglas side is the more straightforward route. No facilities on the hill itself, so bring water and something to eat if you're planning to linger at the top.