Don't climb North Berwick Law if it's misty, but on a clear day, it's just brilliant. The climb is quite steep in places but you can choose gentler, lower routes most of the way up – and when you get there, you are rewarded with the most magnificent
views in all directions. Look out to sea to the Bass Rock, just three miles away, and move left past the other islands of the Forth and across to Fife, then past Cockenzie power station towards Edinburgh and round to the Pentlands and Lammermuirs, with Traprain Law looking far less threatening a climb than it actually is. Marvellous.
2 BIRKS OF ABERFELDY
Perthshire
In the holidays we always head up to Aberfeldy for the day and do the lovely circular birks walk, which also takes in the falls of Moness. This superb walk is more often than not followed up by a visit to the Watermill Bookshop for some homemade cake and hot chocolate and a flick through the books. Aberfeldy is well worth a mooch around and has some great local shops to browse in.
3 THE HERMITAGEnear Dunkeld, Perthshire
This is nice and easy so even kids and grannies can come along. The walk features two follies dedicated to the poet Ossian, as well as a hermit's cave and of course the River Braan which breaks into waterfalls along the route. It is really pretty and trees along the route make it quite sheltered. Nearby Dunkeld is perfect for afternoon tea and a post-Christmas potter.
4 CHATELHERAULTCarlisle Rd, Ferniegair, Hamilton
Visit the restored hunting lodge with a visitor centre set in a 500-acre country park with ten miles of footpath through a historic landscape that offers superb views. There are permanent and temporary exhibits and a café/shop. It also has an adventure play area. Admission is free.
5 NEWHAILES HOUSE & GARDENSMusselburgh
This is a great place to take the kids and the dog, with lots of features dating back to the time when the Dalrymple family lived there and built little follies such as the Shell House and Tea House across the estate. Lovely woodland walks and mini-waterfalls.
