Dumfries and Galloway covers the south-west corner of Scotland, with a long Solway coastline, quiet farmland and, to the north-west, the hills and lochs of the Galloway Forest Park. It is a less crowded part of Scotland, and good for walkers who want peace and space.

Galloway Forest Park. The park, near Newton Stewart and Glentrool, was Scotland’s first Dark Sky Park, and its hills include the Merrick, at 843 metres the highest hill in the Southern Uplands. There are waymarked forest trails around Glentrool and Loch Trool.

Southern Upland Way. Scotland’s coast-to-coast route runs for 214 miles from Portpatrick to Cockburnspath, crossing the region by way of Sanquhar and the Lowther Hills.

Solway coast and towns. Kirkcudbright, Gatehouse of Fleet and Castle Douglas make good bases for woodland and coastal walks, and the shore near Caerlaverock, with its castle and wetland reserve, is rich in birds. Criffel, near New Abbey, gives wide views across the Solway Firth.

Paths in the forest and on the hills can be boggy, and the Galloway hills are remote, so carry a map and tell someone your plans.