Loch a' Choire

The water here sits still as glass most days, ringed by Munros that rise proper steep from the shoreline. Loch a' Choire isn't one for crowds - you'll find yourself alone more often than not, which is exactly why it's worth the drive north of Ardgay.

It's a small loch, nothing you'd mistake for Ness or Morar, but that's the appeal. The scenery packs in tight - rocky banks, scattered pines, mountains closing in on three sides. You can walk the perimeter if you're keen, though paths aren't formal and the terrain demands a bit of scrambling. Most visitors just park up, brew a flask, and stare. Fair enough too.

History buffs might linger longer than others. This corner of the Highlands carries weight - old clan country, old stories. But honestly, it's the light that gets you. Morning mist rising off the water, late afternoon gold catching the high slopes. Photographers could lose hours here.

Families with young kids might find it a bit sparse - there's nowhere to buy a sausage roll, no visitor centre, no attractions beyond the loch itself. Takes maybe an hour to see properly unless you're walking further afield. If you're staying at Ardgay Glamping just down the road, it's an easy morning jaunt worth fitting in. Free, naturally. Go early, go quiet, go prepared for Scottish weather.