Distance from a kid climbing headland (9)
I believe the answer is:
aloofness
'distance' is the definition.
('aloofness' can be a synonym of 'distance')
'a kid climbing headland' is the wordplay.
'kid' becomes 'fool' (both can mean to jokingly trick).
'climbing' says the letters should be written backwards (in a down clue, letters climb up).
'headland' becomes 'ness' (I've seen this before).
'fool' back-to-front is 'loof'.
'a'+'loof'+'ness'='ALOOFNESS'
'from' is the link.
(Other definitions for aloofness that I've seen before include "Cool and distant manner" , "Indifference by personal withdrawal" , "Standoffish air" , "Indifference, reserve" , "Detachment" .)