Loch Airigh a' Mhill

The water here is proper dark and still, ringed by mountains that rise steep on three sides. Loch Airigh a' Mhill sits in one of those quiet corners of the Highlands where you can stand for ten minutes without hearing another soul. There's no visitor centre, no cafe, no marked trails - just the loch itself and the moorland rolling away from its shore.

You're looking at a small freshwater loch roughly two miles from Strathcarron, which makes it manageable as a half-day walk if you're based anywhere in the valley. The appeal is straightforward: mountain views without the crowds you'd find at Loch Torridon or the other better-known spots nearby. Walkers will get the most from it, especially those who want to loop around the water and up into the surrounding hills. If you're after a picnic spot with a bit of drama and isolation, this delivers. Families with young kids might find it a trek for limited payoff - there's nowhere to sit comfortably and the terrain is rough.

Allow two to three hours if you're doing a circuit. Go in clear weather; in mist this place becomes monotonous rather than moody. There's free access and no facilities whatsoever, so bring what you need. Shieldaig Camping & Cabins sits five miles away and makes a solid base for exploring both this loch and the broader Torridon area. Worth the detour if you're hiking in the region, but don't make it your only reason to visit the Highlands.