Cruachan Reservoir

The moment you round the bend near Taynuilt and spot Cruachan Reservoir, you realise you've left the crowds behind. This isn't a spa lake with manicured edges - it's a proper working reservoir, dark and dramatic, with the Cruachan mountain rising sheer behind it. The whole setup is part of a pumped-storage hydroelectric station, which sounds industrial until you see how the landscape has absorbed it.

What you actually do here is walk. There's a decent circular route around the water's edge that takes the better part of two hours, and it's worth every minute. The path swings from quiet moorland to dense pine forest, with the water throwing back reflections that change colour depending on cloud cover. On a clear day you get views across to Ben Cruachan itself - proper Highlands scenery that makes you understand why people move to Argyll and never leave.

It's tailor-made for walkers and photographers. Families with young kids might find the terrain a bit uneven in places, and you'll want decent footwear. The reservoir is free to access, and there's parking near the visitor centre. Go on a weekday if you can - weekends draw folk from Glasgow and it loses some of its wildness.

If you're staying at Loch Awe Holiday Park just down the road, this is an easy add-on that gives you proper mountain air without the Loch Katrine circus. Allow three hours including stops for photos.