Peelton Hill

The walk up Peelton Hill from Thornhill takes about forty minutes if you're moving at a decent pace, and the effort pays off with views across the Nith Valley that stretch for miles. It's a proper Lowland hill rather than a mountain - nothing dramatic, but genuinely rewarding once you're up there, especially on a clear day when you can pick out the hills beyond.

The path itself is straightforward enough, though it can be boggy in places after rain, so decent boots matter. You'll pass through rough grassland and moorland with scattered gorse. It's the kind of walk that appeals to keen ramblers and families who don't mind a bit of elevation - not too taxing, not too quick. Allow a couple of hours for the round trip if you want to stop and soak it in without rushing.

What makes it work as part of a Dumfries & Galloway break is the location. You're minutes from Thornhill itself, and both Penpont Holiday Park and Red Squirrel Campsite are within striking distance - three and a half miles and six miles respectively. Neither is far, so it slots in nicely as a morning outing before heading elsewhere or settling in for the evening. Go early if you can; the light's better and you'll have the hill largely to yourself. Summer and autumn are the obvious choices, though even winter can work if the weather's behaving.