Friock Loch

A shallow freshwater loch about four miles south of Arbroath, Friock Loch sits quietly in the Aberdeenshire landscape without fuss or fanfare. It's the sort of place you'd stumble upon rather than plan a pilgrimage to, which is precisely why it works so well.

The water itself is unremarkable in the way Scottish lochs often are - dark, still, fringed with reeds and low vegetation. What draws people here is the walking. There's a decent circuit around the loch that takes the better part of an hour depending on your pace, and it's flat enough for families without being boring. The path gets muddy after rain, so come prepared.

Birdwatchers will spend longer than most. In winter you'll spot overwintering wildfowl; in summer the breeding population keeps things interesting. It's not a destination in itself - it's a solid addition to a day exploring the Arbroath area, particularly if you're staying at The Grange Glamping nearby. The contrast between that spot's energy and this loch's quietness is rather nice.

Free to visit, obviously. There's limited parking at the loch side, and it can fill up on weekends. Go on a weekday morning if you want to avoid other people entirely. Allow ninety minutes if you're walking the full circuit and actually paying attention to birds rather than just marching round. Kids won't be bored if they're the sort who like spotting things - less so if they need facilities or excitement.