Shambleton Hill

The walk up Shambleton Hill rewards you with views across Fife that stretch all the way to the Forth. It's not a bruising climb - more of a steady trudge that takes the best part of an hour - but the effort pays off when you crest the top and realise how much landscape you can actually see from here.

The hill itself sits in open countryside a short drive inland from St Andrews, so it works brilliantly as a half-day excursion if you're based near the coast. The path is well-trodden and fairly straightforward, though it can get boggy after rain. Bring decent boots. The summit isn't dramatic - no cairn, no shelter - but on a clear day the visibility is genuinely impressive.

Walkers will find this properly rewarding. Families with older kids (eight upwards) can manage it without complaint, though younger ones might grumble about the lack of destination - there's no cafe at the top, no facilities. History buffs get less out of it; the hill itself doesn't have any particular story attached.

If you're staying at one of the nearby parks - Snugs at Logie Farm and Larick Campsite both get top marks - Shambleton Hill makes an excellent morning outing. Clayton Caravan Park is a touch further out but still manages a respectable rating. Allow two to three hours all in, including a break at the summit. Go midweek in decent weather and you'll likely have it to yourself.