Loch a' Choire Bhuidhe

High up in the hills above Strathcarron sits Loch a' Choire Bhuidhe - a proper remote mountain loch that demands a serious walk to reach it. The water sits in a corrie bowl, hemmed in by steep ridges, and the light does strange things up there depending on the time of day. You're looking at a good two-hour trek minimum from the nearest road, uphill most of the way, so this isn't one for a casual afternoon stroll.

Walkers absolutely love it. The isolation is the whole point - you won't find crowds, just the sound of water and wind and the occasional golden eagle if you're lucky. The loch itself is small but dramatic, especially when clouds roll through the glens below. Photography types could spend hours here chasing light on the water and rock faces.

Families with young kids should think twice. The approach is steep, exposed in places, and there's nowhere to turn back easily once you're committed. Teenagers who actually like hiking would get a kick out of it though.

It's free to visit, obviously - there's no gatekeeper up here. Allow most of a day if you want to do it properly and not rush. The nearest base is Shieldaig Camping & Cabins, a solid spot about six miles away with good reviews. The Highlands are full of lochs, but this one rewards you for making the effort to get there.