Wildshaw Hill

The walk up Wildshaw Hill takes about forty minutes from the car park, and it's genuinely worth the effort. You're looking at sweeping views across South Lanarkshire the moment you crest the top - moorland stretching toward the Pentlands, the Clyde Valley dropping away to the west. On a clear day you can pick out Tinto Hill further south.

It's not a dramatic peak by Scottish standards, but that's rather the point. This is proper walker territory without the crowds you'd get on something like Ben Lomond. Families with older kids manage it fine; the path's well-trodden and the gradient's steady rather than vicious. Bring decent boots though - it can get boggy after rain and the ground's unforgiving.

Biggar sits just a few miles away, which means you're not far from civilisation if you've forgotten your packed lunch. There's Mount View Caravan Park nearby if you're basing yourself in the area for a longer stay. Most people allow two to three hours for the full round trip, including time to sit on the summit and actually look at the view rather than just photograph it.

Go on a weekday if you can. The hill draws fewer visitors mid-week, and you'll have more space to think. The light's often better in the afternoon too, especially in autumn when the heather's still holding colour.