Loch a' Phollain Drisich

A small freshwater loch tucked into the wilds of Sutherland, Loch a' Phollain Drisich doesn't advertise itself much - which is rather the point. You'll find it on the maps if you're looking, but most tourists barrel past heading for the more famous lochs further south. The water is dark and still, ringed by moorland and low hills that feel properly remote without being inaccessible. There's no visitor centre, no café, no facilities whatsoever. Just you, the loch, and the kind of quiet you only get when mobile signal dies.

Walkers come here because the approach is straightforward and the surrounding terrain rewards poking about. You can circle the loch in an hour if you're not fussed, or spend an afternoon following the burn that feeds it. Fishermen know the place well - brown trout are present, though I'd check local rules before casting a line. The light here changes constantly, and photographing it is genuinely worthwhile if you're that way inclined.

Stay at Clachtoll Beach Campsite just 2.5 miles away - a proper cracking spot with actual five-star reviews. From there, you can visit Loch a' Phollain Drisich as a quiet morning walk before moving on to bigger attractions. It's not a destination in itself, but it's exactly the sort of place that makes a Highlands holiday feel like discovery rather than tourism. Best visited outside peak season when the midges aren't staging a full assault.