Nether Hill

Nether Hill rises above the rolling Dumfries & Galloway landscape with the kind of modest conviction that Scottish peaks often have - nothing showy, just proper countryside views that reward the climb. It's a straightforward walk, nothing technical, though the path can be boggy underfoot depending on recent weather.

The summit itself isn't dramatic. You're not scrambling over rocks or navigating a knife-edge ridge. What you get instead is 360-degree visibility across the Lowlands when the weather cooperates, with Thornhill lying below and the hills rolling away in every direction. On a clear day it's worth the effort. On a grey one, honestly, it's a bit of a slog for what amounts to a bump in the landscape.

This is ideal for walkers wanting a half-day outing rather than an all-day expedition. Families with older kids will manage it fine - under-fives will find it dull. History types won't find much to grab hold of up here, though the views do paint the wider picture of how Dumfries & Galloway sits in the landscape. Allow two to three hours return from the nearest car park.

If you're based at Penpont Holiday Park - only 5.6 miles away - Nether Hill works as a morning walk before heading back for lunch. It doesn't dominate a day, but it's a solid addition to a park holiday in the area if walking is your thing. Free, naturally, and open year-round.