Stock Law

Stock Law rises to 427 metres near Coldstream and offers one of those walks that sneaks up on you - not dramatic enough to demand your attention, but once you're up there, the views across the Borders are proper rewarding. The climb itself is straightforward, taking most walkers around 45 minutes to an hour depending on fitness. The summit's open moorland, windswept but never bleak.

It's the kind of peak that appeals to walkers who want a decent accomplishment without needing ropes and crampons. Families with older kids can manage it easily enough, though younger ones might find the final push tedious. The real payoff comes on clear days when you can see south into England and north across rolling Scottish countryside. Worth going on a day when visibility is good - a murky morning turns this from lovely into disappointing.

You'll want to allow a couple of hours total, including time at the top to catch your breath and soak in the landscape. There's no facilities at the summit, so bring water and a packed lunch if you're making an afternoon of it. Winter visits are possible but the track gets boggy in wet weather, so autumn and spring are ideal.

Stock Law pairs well with Coldstream as a base - the town sits right on the border, and Coldstream Holiday Park is less than four miles away, making it a sensible starting point for exploring the wider Borders hills and river walks.