Millbank Hill

Standing at 268 metres above sea level, this modest summit offers proper hill walking without the lung-busting drama of the Highlands. The climb from Dalbeattie takes about 45 minutes through mixed woodland and open moorland, and frankly, it's well worth the effort for the views alone.

From the top, you get a cracking panorama across the Solway Firth to the Lake District fells - on a clear day, you can spot Skiddaw and Helvellyn. The view south takes in the entire Cumbrian coast, while westward you'll see the granite hills that make this corner of Dumfries & Galloway so distinctive.

Walkers with reasonable fitness will find this an excellent morning's exercise, though families with young children might struggle with the steeper sections near the summit. The path can get boggy after rain, so decent boots are essential.

This works brilliantly as part of a holiday based at one of the coastal parks near Dalbeattie. Sandyhills Bay Holiday Park sits just two miles away, while Southerness Holiday Park offers another base for exploring this less-trampled corner of Scotland. After a morning on Millbank Hill, the nearby coast provides a complete contrast - perfect for cooling off tired legs in the Solway.