Loch a' Chrim-raoin

Loch a' Chrim-raoin sits quietly in the Highlands near Aviemore, the sort of place you stumble upon rather than plan for. It's a modest highland loch - nothing dramatic, but genuinely peaceful. You get decent views of the surrounding hills reflected in the water, particularly on calm days when the surface goes mirror-flat.

Walkers benefit most from this one. There's a decent path around the loch that takes about 45 minutes to an hour, depending on your pace and how often you stop to look at the hills. It's straightforward terrain - nothing technical - so it works for families with older kids, though younger ones might find it a bit samey after 20 minutes. Keen photographers will want to arrive early for the light; late afternoon can be moody if clouds roll in.

There's no cafe, no visitor centre, nothing like that. Just the loch and the hills. Access appears to be free, though I'd double-check locally if you're planning a specific visit. The nearest proper facilities are back in Aviemore, which is about five miles south.

If you're staying at Dalraddy Holiday Park, this works as a morning outing before you head elsewhere. It's easy enough to fit in alongside bigger walks in the area, though honestly it's more of a gentle breather than a destination in itself. On a crisp autumn day with decent light, though, it's proper lovely.