Fyn Loch

The water at Fyn Loch sits still most mornings, a proper mirror reflecting whatever sky Scotland's throwing at you that day. It's a small freshwater lake near Stirling, about half an hour north of Glasgow, and it doesn't pretend to be anything grander than it is - which is exactly why it works.

You're looking at a quiet spot for a walk rather than a destination with facilities. The shoreline gives you a decent circuit if you fancy stretching your legs, and on a clear day the views back towards the Lowlands are decent enough. Walkers will get the most from it, particularly anyone who wants to escape the busier tourist trails around Loch Lomond without driving too far. Families with young kids might find it a bit limited after thirty minutes or so - there's not much to do once you've done the loop.

The real draw is how close it sits to the Loch Lomond accommodation cluster. If you're staying at Loch Lomond Retreat or any of the glamping pods dotted round that area - and there's plenty of them within five or six miles - Fyn Loch works as a morning walk before breakfast or a late afternoon potter. It's free, obviously, and you can show up whenever you like.

Worth a detour if you're already in the Stirling area? Probably not. Worth twenty minutes on your way to somewhere else, or as part of a broader Lowlands walking day? Absolutely. Don't expect drama - just a decent lakeside walk that does exactly what it says.