Castle Hill

The walk up Castle Hill from Biggar takes about forty minutes if you're not rushing, and the effort pays off. You're climbing to a proper Iron Age fort - the remains are subtle, mind you, nothing dramatic like you might expect. Stone ramparts run along the summit, though time and weather have done their work. The views across the Southern Lowlands are the real draw here. On a clear day you can see for miles: rolling farmland, distant hills, the whole landscape spread out below.

It's a straightforward hill walk rather than a scramble, which makes it decent for families with older kids. Younger ones might find the climb tedious without much to do at the top beyond looking around. History buffs will appreciate the Iron Age context - this was a settlement point, somewhere people chose to defend and live. Allow two hours return from Biggar town centre including a proper look about at the summit.

The nearest accommodation is Mount View Caravan Park, less than a mile away - genuinely convenient if you're basing yourself in the area. Ecosse Glamping sits six miles further out for those wanting something different. Castle Hill works well as a morning outing before heading to other Lowlands attractions. It's free, obviously, and you can walk it whenever you fancy. Go when the weather's decent though - this isn't a hill that improves in rain and mist.