Black Linn Reservoir

The water at Black Linn Reservoir sits dark and still, hemmed in by moorland that rises steeply on three sides. It's a proper Scottish scene - the kind of place where the weather can turn in ten minutes and you genuinely feel miles from anywhere, even though Glasgow's only down the road.

This is a walk-to destination rather than a drive-up spot. The reservoir itself is the draw for hikers tackling routes in the Trossachs foothills, and it makes a good waypoint or turnaround if you're exploring the wider moorland north of Stirling. The water's cold enough to make you think twice about swimming, though some hardy types do. Most visitors come for the walk itself - the approach is more interesting than the reservoir, truth be told, winding through rough ground where you'll spot red grouse and the occasional golden eagle if you're lucky.

It's not a destination to spend all day at. Two hours round trip from the nearest parking, and you're done. Worth the trip if you're based around Loch Lomond - Loch Lomond Retreat is only five miles away - and want to escape the busier tourist circuit. Families with younger kids might find it underwhelming; it's really for walkers who enjoy the solitude and don't mind muddy boots.

Go in late spring or early autumn when the midges aren't out in force and the light's proper for photography. Winter's bleak but dramatic.