Loch a' Gharbh-doire

Water this dark and still feels almost unreal. Loch a' Gharbh-doire sits in the Highland landscape like someone's spilled ink across the moorland, surrounded by steep banks and rough ground that give the place its name - it means the rough dark loch, which is exactly what you get. The walk in from Gairloch isn't particularly well-marked, which keeps it properly quiet even in summer. You're looking at a remote mountain loch with no facilities whatsoever, so come prepared with proper boots and waterproofs because the weather here turns on a sixpence.

This is for people who actually want solitude rather than a scenic postcard. Families with young kids will find the terrain challenging and the lack of amenities frustrating. Walkers and photographers get far more from it - the light on the water changes constantly, and if you catch it on a rare clear day, the surrounding peaks are genuinely dramatic. Allow two to three hours minimum from Gairloch, longer if you want to explore properly around the shoreline.

It's completely free and there's no entrance gate or visitor centre nonsense. Go in winter or spring when the midges won't eat you alive. Sands Caravan & Camping sits just 2.4 miles away near Gairloch, making it a sensible base for tackling this and the other lochs scattered through the region. The loch itself rewards patience - spend an hour simply sat watching the water and you'll understand why people live out here despite everything.