The Glaster

The Glaster rises out of the moorland south of Newton Stewart like someone's plucked a proper chunk of hill from the Highlands and dropped it in the Lowlands. It's a modest peak by Scottish standards - around 680 metres - but what it lacks in altitude it makes up for in isolation and those long views across Dumfries and Galloway that catch you off guard.

You'll be walking moorland and rough grass most of the way up. No marked path to speak of, which means boots matter and a map matters more. Allow a couple of hours there and back from the car park depending on your fitness. The summit's bare stone and scrappy vegetation, but on a decent day you can see right across to the Solway Firth. On a grey one it's properly atmospheric in that dreich Scottish way.

This is walkers' territory. History enthusiasts might find the old drove roads and shepherd bothies interesting, though there's not much interpretation on the ground. Families with young kids will find it a bit of a slog and no real payoff like a tower or ruins at the top. Solo hikers and serious ramblers will get far more from it.

Based from Three Lochs Holiday Park or Barnharrow, it makes a solid morning walk if the weather holds. Pair it with lower-level walks in the Forest Park nearby for a fuller day. Free access as far as I'm aware, though you'll need your own transport to reach the start. Go early to avoid the midges in summer.