Loch a' Chuirn Deirg

The water here is properly dark, almost black in certain lights, ringed by steep hillsides that climb up sharply from the shore. Loch a' Chuirn Deirg sits in that remote corner of the Highlands where you start to feel like you've left civilisation behind, about four miles from Kyle. It's not the sort of loch that has a visitor centre or a café - you get the landscape raw and undressed.

For walkers, this is the real draw. The loch makes a good stopping point on longer hill routes, and if you're fishing-inclined, the deep water holds trout, though you'll want local knowledge on that front. There's no proper public infrastructure that I could find, so come prepared - bring water, snacks, decent boots. An hour or two is enough to absorb the atmosphere and take photos, though if you're combining it with higher ground or a longer circuit, it'll easily fill a morning.

Family groups with young children might find the journey here more satisfying than the destination itself. The road gets narrow and winding on the approach, and once you're there, there's not much to occupy restless legs beyond looking at water and hills. But for anyone serious about Highland scenery or planning a multi-day walking trip, this is the kind of place that justifies the drive. Glenshiel Campsite sits close by if you're basing yourself in the area - a solid choice for a few days of exploring the wider region.