Meikle Knypes

The walk up Meikle Knypes is straightforward enough, but don't let that fool you into thinking it's a doddle. This moorland peak rises above Sanquhar in the southern uplands, and once you're on top you understand why people bother making the climb. The views south towards the Nithsdale valleys are genuinely worth the effort, especially on a clear day when you can pick out ridge after ridge rolling away into the distance.

It's not a dramatic mountain - there's no scrambling or exposure, which makes it excellent for walkers who want proper upland scenery without the technical faff. Families with kids aged ten and up would manage it without complaint, though you'll want decent boots given how exposed the moorland gets when the weather turns. The walk takes a couple of hours round trip depending on your pace and exactly where you start from near Sanquhar.

This is the sort of walk that pairs brilliantly with a longer Dumfries and Galloway stay. If you're based somewhere like Sunnyside Lodges just a few miles away, you could knock it out in a morning and still have the afternoon free for exploring the valleys below or heading into town. Go when the cloud isn't sitting on the summits - I've been up here in mist and there's not much to see but grey. Pick a weekend with decent weather in your forecast and you'll get why locals rate it.