I flop onto the shingle of Lyme Regis beach, an extra large portion of chips in hand. I'm exhausted, and more than a little surprised. When I headed east from Exmouth, I'd been expecting two days of gentle walking among rolling coastal hills.

One walking highlight of last year was the blissful day spent among the bluebells and tors of Dartmoor's eastern flanks. With the Haytor Hoppa service running again this summer, I was looking forward to returning to my stomping grounds of old.

The Southern Upland Way is Scotland's longest footpath and Britain's longest coast to coast path. Passing through some magnificent scenery, this magnificent walk provides - perhaps more than any other long distance path - the opportunity for some solitude while walking.