Loch a' Chlachain

The water here is dark and still, reflecting the surrounding hills with the kind of clarity that makes you understand why lochs have such a hold on people. Loch a' Chlachain sits quietly in the Highlands, a short drive from Inverness, and it's the sort of place you'd stumble upon rather than plan for - which is precisely what makes it worth knowing about.

This is a proper walker's loch rather than a tourist spectacle. You can circuit it on foot if you're up for a decent trek, and the views only get better as you gain height. The water's cold enough that only the hardiest swimmers venture in, but on a clear day the reflections alone are worth the drive. There's a kind of peaceful desolation here that feels authentic - no gift shops, no visitor centre, just the loch and the landscape.

If you're based at Go Glamping at Loch Ness, a few miles south, Loch a' Chlachain makes an excellent half-day outing. Bring proper waterproofs and decent boots; the paths can be boggy and the weather can turn without warning. It's free to visit and you can spend anywhere from an hour for a quick look to most of a day if you're doing the full circuit.

Best visited outside peak season when the midges are less ambitious. Families with young children might find it a bit exposed and featureless, but anyone after a genuine Highland experience - walkers, photographers, quiet-seekers - will find exactly what they're after.