Bhlàraidh Reservoir

The water here sits dark and still, ringed by Caledonian pine and the kind of silence you don't get in many places these days. Bhlàraidh Reservoir is a proper working water supply for the Highlands, but that doesn't stop it being one of the quieter lochs worth seeking out if you're based around Fort Augustus. It's the sort of place where you'll spot red squirrels and maybe catch sight of golden eagles if you're lucky enough - and patient enough.

This isn't a destination with facilities or a visitor centre, mind you. There are no cafes, no car parks with proper facilities, no family attractions. What you get instead is raw Highland landscape and the chance for a decent walk around the water if you can find the right access points. Walkers and photographers will find it rewarding; families with young children might find it a bit thin for a full day out, unless they're the type happy to ramble and spot wildlife.

The nearest proper base is Fort Augustus, just a few miles south, where you'll find several decent holiday parks. Loch Ness Holiday Park sits at 4.8/5 reviews and is roughly five miles away, while Inver Coille Camping & Glamping is even closer at under five miles. Both make solid jumping-off points if you want to explore this corner of the Highlands - though you'd probably combine it with Loch Ness itself rather than visit in isolation. Best visited on a clear day when the mountain views actually open up.