Dubh Lochain

The walk to Dubh Lochain starts near Ballater and climbs steadily through moorland before the dark waters come into view - properly dark, hence the name (dubh means black in Gaelic). It's a mountain loch that demands effort to reach, which means fewer tourists cluttering the shore.

The setting is bleak in the best possible way. Granite peaks rise on three sides, heather and bog underfoot, and if you're lucky with the light, the water reflects the sky like polished obsidian. In poor weather it's genuinely moody - the kind of place where you understand why the old stories involved water spirits and curses.

This is a walk rather than a stroll. Allow three hours return from the nearest car park, and bring proper boots because the path gets boggy. It's not particularly long in distance, but the climb is relentless and there's exposure to wind. Worth it for hikers and photographers, less so if you're after a gentle afternoon by water.

Braemar Caravan Park sits six miles away and makes a solid base for the area. If you're staying there with kids, this isn't the attraction for a rainy afternoon - save it for a settled day when everyone's in the mood. Solo walkers and serious landscape enthusiasts will find it rewarding. The reward isn't facilities or comfort; it's solitude and proper Highland scenery without the crowds you'd find at more famous lochs.