Loch a' Mhuillin

The water here is absolutely still on a calm day - so clear you can see right down to the rocky bottom, which makes for a proper photogenic spot if you've got a camera. Loch a' Mhuillin sits in the highlands near Gairloch, tucked away enough that you won't find tour buses clogging the place up, but close enough to the coast that you can visit it as a half-day trip without too much faffing about.

It's a straightforward walk to reach the lochside, nothing that'll leave you gasping. The landscape around it is classic Scottish highlands - rough moorland, distant mountains, the works. Walkers and photographers will get genuine value here; families might find it a bit exposed and windy depending on the weather, though older kids won't mind a ramble to the shore.

There's no visitor centre or facilities to speak of, so bring water and a packed lunch if you're planning to spend proper time here. The real appeal is the sense of space and solitude - you'll likely have the place to yourself, which is worth something when everywhere else gets rammed with visitors.

If you're staying at Sands Caravan & Camping just down the road, this makes an easy morning outing before heading into Gairloch itself for lunch and shops. The loch works best on clear weather days; rain and low cloud flatten the whole experience. Allow a couple of hours if you're walking the perimeter, less if you just want to sit quietly for a bit.