Airyolland Loch

The water here is properly still on a calm day - mirror-flat and reflecting the hills beyond like something out of a landscape painting. Airyolland Loch sits just outside Newton Stewart in Dumfries & Galloway, and it's the sort of place you stumble upon rather than plan a trip around, though you might find yourself coming back.

It's a working fishing loch, so don't expect manicured banks or visitor facilities. What you get instead is the real thing: a slice of Scottish Lowlands countryside without the crowds. The walk around the perimeter is gentle enough, though the ground can be boggy after rain. Most people allow an hour or so, though if you're just after a quiet spot to sit and watch the water, you could happily camp here longer.

Families will find it peaceful rather than thrilling - there's no playground or cafe, so pack a flask. Walkers and wildlife enthusiasts will rate it higher. The loch attracts geese and ducks, and the surrounding landscape rolls properly into the distance.

If you're staying at The Galloway Steading just down the road, it's worth a morning visit to stretch your legs and get your bearings in the area. Park near Newton Stewart and head out early if you want solitude. There's something quite meditative about standing by dark water with nothing but hills and birdsong for company. It's not dramatic, but it's genuine.