Loch a' Mhadaidh

This remote loch in the Highlands near Gairloch is the sort of place you stumble upon rather than deliberately seek out - which is precisely why it's worth the effort. The water sits in a wild, windswept valley with nothing but moorland and low hills pressing in on all sides. It's proper remote, the kind of spot where you'll likely have the place to yourself even on a decent day.

There's no visitor infrastructure here - no café, no facilities, no marked trails. You approach on foot, picking your way across boggy ground, which means only moderately committed walkers will bother. That's actually the appeal. If you're camped at Sands Caravan & Camping just 3 miles away, this makes an excellent half-day expedition to break up the holiday. Bring proper boots and expect the weather to turn on a sixpence.

Fishing types sometimes venture here for brown trout, though you'll want to check local regulations first. Photographers find it compelling in low light - the hills create a moody backdrop and the water rarely sits entirely still. In summer the midges can be ferocious, so an early morning or breezy afternoon visit works better.

Is it worth leaving the comfort of your caravan for? Only if you're the sort who actually enjoys a bit of Scottish wildness without the tour bus crowds. The scenery won't blow your mind - it's subtle rather than dramatic - but the silence and solitude might. Allow two to three hours return. Free, obviously.