Cormech

The walk down to Cormech Lake from Banchory takes you through proper Highland scenery - all Scots pines and heather moorland before the water appears through the trees. It's a modest reservoir rather than a dramatic mountain loch, but that's rather the point. The shoreline is peaceful, rarely crowded, and the kind of place where you can actually hear yourself think.

This is walkers' territory. The circuit around the water is manageable for families with decent legs, though the paths can be boggy after rain, so come prepared. There's nothing fancy here - no visitor centre, no cafe, no interpretive boards. Just a loch, the forest, and that particular quality of light that makes the Scottish Highlands feel like you've stepped outside normal time. You'll spot the occasional fisherman, and if you're lucky, red squirrels in the trees.

If you're based at Feughside Caravan Park or Glen Dye Cabins just down the road, Cormech makes an excellent morning walk or afternoon detour. Allow a couple of hours for a leisurely loop; less if you just want to get to the water and back. The nearest proper town is Banchory, about fifteen minutes' drive away, which has shops and cafes if you need them.

It won't blow your mind, but it will give you that genuine Highland peace you came for. Well worth the detour if you're already in the area.