Burncrooks Reservoir

Drive north from Glasgow and within thirty minutes you'll find yourself at Burncrooks Reservoir, a proper working water supply that's managed to remain genuinely under the radar. It's not the sort of place you'll find mobbed with tourists - which is precisely what makes it worth the effort.

The reservoir itself sits in rolling countryside between Stirling and the Loch Lomond area, offering a straightforward walk around the perimeter if the mood takes you. The water's clean, the surroundings are green and quiet, and on a clear day you get decent views back towards the hills. It's the kind of spot where locals come to clear their heads rather than tick off a checklist.

Families with older kids who don't need constant entertainment will find this decent enough - there's space to wander, a bit of natural interest, and nowhere near the crowds you'd get at Loch Lomond proper. Photographers and birdwatchers tend to do better here than those after dramatic scenery. Don't expect facilities - there's nothing much in the way of cafes or visitor infrastructure.

If you're camping at Loch Lomond Retreat or one of the other glamping spots scattered within five or six miles, Burncrooks makes a low-key morning or afternoon addition to your itinerary. It's free access and you can fit it around other plans without any fuss. Worth twenty minutes of your time if you're in the area, though probably not worth rerouting your entire holiday for.