Moor Hill

The walk up Moor Hill takes about forty minutes if you're reasonably fit, and the reward is a proper 360-degree view across Dumfries and Galloway that makes the climb worthwhile. It's not a dramatic peak - nothing like the Highlands - but there's something honest about it. You can see right across to the Mull of Galloway on a clear day, and the moorland around you is genuinely wild despite being only a few miles from Stranraer.

Families with kids aged eight and up will manage it fine. The path is clear enough, though boggy in places after rain, and there's nothing technically tricky. Walkers will appreciate that it's uncrowded - you won't fight crowds here like you would at more famous peaks. History buffs get less, though the moorland itself tells stories if you know how to read it.

It's free, obviously - just park sensibly near the base and go. Allow two hours return if you're not rushing. The real value is as part of a wider walking holiday in the area. Staying at Sands of Luce Holiday Park, just a few miles away, gives you a proper base for exploring the Rhins of Galloway. Moor Hill works as a morning mission before heading to Stranraer for lunch or pushing on to other walks in the region.

Go when the weather's decent - there's not much point in the mist and drizzle unless you're after the solitude. Spring and early autumn are ideal.