Craig Dhu

Craig Dhu rises out of the countryside near Maybole like a proper sentinel - nothing flashy, just a solid lump of rock that rewards the scramble up. It's a modest peak by Scottish standards, but that's rather the point. You get proper views across South Ayrshire without the crowds you'd face on something more famous, and the walk itself is straightforward enough that you're not knackered before you've even reached the summit.

The approach is the thing here. Rolling farmland gives way to rougher ground, and then you're picking your way up steep grass and heather to reach the top. On a clear day you can see right across the Lowlands - nothing dramatic, but genuinely lovely countryside stretching out in every direction. The whole outing takes a couple of hours at a relaxed pace, making it ideal for walkers who want some proper exercise without committing to a full day's hike.

Nearby Freedom Fields Glamping offers a brilliant base if you're planning to explore the area properly. It's close enough that Craig Dhu becomes a natural morning walk, and you'll have time to investigate the quieter corners of South Ayrshire that most visitors miss. Families with older kids will get on fine with it - younger ones might find the final push a bit steep. The peak itself is free to climb, naturally, and there are no facilities up top, so bring water. Best visited when the ground isn't waterlogged, which in Scotland means you'll need to be flexible with your timing.