Supplebank Plantation

The walk through Supplebank Plantation, just outside Lockerbie, is one of those straightforward forest affairs that works best if you're already staying nearby rather than making a special trip. You get mixed woodland - conifers and broadleaves - with reasonably well-trodden paths that meander through without much drama. It's the sort of place where you can blow off steam for an hour or so, stretch the legs properly, and actually see the sky through the trees rather than being plunged into gloom.

Walkers will get the most from this one. If you've got kids who need to run about and don't require constant entertainment, they'll be fine. The paths aren't steep, which means it suits people who prefer a gentle wander over a proper hike. Families who've pitched up at Queensberry Bay Holiday Park or West Moss-Side Livery can use it as a morning constitutional before breakfast or an evening walk when the light's turning golden.

The real value here is its accessibility. No gates, no entrance fees that I'm aware of, no nonsense - you just turn up and walk. It's not dramatic or showstopping, but that's rather the point. If you're spending a week in the area exploring larger attractions, Supplebank fills the gap nicely on a quieter day. Allow an hour at a leisurely pace, maybe ninety minutes if you fancy stopping to listen to the birds. Goes without saying: bring waterproof trousers. It's Scotland.