Wormer Law

The walk up Wormer Law takes you straight out of Coldstream and into proper Borders hill country. It's not particularly high - 420 metres or so - but the views across rolling farmland and towards the Cheviot range are genuinely impressive on a clear day. The summit's a bit bare and windswept, which means you're not lingering up there for hours, but that's fine because the real pleasure is the walk itself rather than the destination.

This is a straightforward hill for anyone with decent boots and an afternoon free. Not technical, not particularly long, and the kind of thing that clears your head without demanding too much in return. Families with older kids will manage it comfortably. History buffs might appreciate that you're walking through some of Scotland's most fought-over territory, though there's not much by way of signage or interpretation once you're on the hill.

Go on a dry day if you can - the paths get boggy otherwise. Allow two to three hours return from the car park, depending on pace and how long you dawdle at the top. It slots perfectly into a longer Borders walking holiday; combine it with other hills in the area or base yourself at Coldstream Holiday Park and explore the region over a few days. The town itself has proper facilities, so you won't be struggling to find a decent coffee beforehand.