Loch a' Choire Mhòir

Getting to Loch a' Choire Mhòir means leaving the main drag around Strathpeffer and heading into proper Highland terrain. This is a mountain loch - remote, quiet, and exactly the sort of place you find yourself at when a walk takes longer than expected and the reward feels earned.

The water sits high in the hills with decent views across the surrounding moorland. It's not a social media hotspot with cafes and manicured paths, which is rather the point. If you're staying at Highland Heights Luxury Glamping nearby, this makes a solid half-day expedition - the terrain is rough enough to feel like an adventure without being genuinely difficult.

Walkers will get more from it than casual tourists. The loch itself is fine, but the hike in through the Highlands is where the appeal lies. Allow three to four hours if you're taking it slow and stopping to appreciate the space around you. There's something about the Scottish uplands at this altitude - the light changes quickly, the wind has teeth, and you genuinely feel like you've gone somewhere.

Best visited on a day when the cloud isn't down, which in the Highlands is something to plan for rather than assume. Spring through early autumn gives the most reliable weather, though even then you'll want waterproofs. It's free, obviously - there's nothing here but the loch and the hills. Not for families with young kids or anyone after a gentle stroll, but if you're the type who walks for the walk itself, you'll find this worth the detour from Strathpeffer.