Loch an t-Seana-bhaile

The loch sits quietly in the hills above Gairloch, and it's the sort of place you stumble upon rather than plan for. There's no visitor centre, no car park with a gift shop, just a remote Highland water that reflects the surrounding peaks on a still day. The name means 'the old village loch' in Gaelic, hinting at settlements long gone.

It's proper peaceful up here. The walk in takes about twenty minutes from the nearest road, and the terrain is rough enough to keep the crowds away. You'll see red deer if you're lucky, and the light across the water in late afternoon is genuinely special. Photographers come for the reflections and the isolation. Hikers use it as a waypoint on longer routes through the glens.

Unless you're keen on wild swimming or landscape photography, an hour here is sufficient. The real value is as part of a broader day in this section of the Highlands - combine it with a walk to Flowerdale Falls or a drive down to Gairloch itself for a proper sense of the geography. If you're staying at Sands Caravan & Camping nearby, it's an easy morning adventure before breakfast.

Go in spring or early summer when the light lasts until nine at night. Winter brings shorter days and midge season is brutal. Free to visit, obviously - there's nothing to charge for. Bring good boots and a waterproof.