Loch Battan

The water at Loch Battan sits perfectly still most days, a dark mirror reflecting the surrounding hills. It's a small freshwater loch near Beauly, the kind of place you'd stumble upon rather than plan a trip around - though that's precisely its appeal. The banks aren't overdeveloped or fenced off. You can walk right down to the shore, and the mood changes depending on weather and time of day. In weak sunlight it feels quite moody; on a clear afternoon it's genuinely lovely.

Walkers get the most from it. There are decent paths around the perimeter, nothing strenuous, and it's the sort of spot where you might actually see red squirrels or catch sight of something larger moving through the trees. The loch itself isn't big enough to dominate a full day, but bundled with other attractions in the area it works well. If you're staying at Highland Premier Glamping Pods just three miles away, it's an easy morning outing before heading elsewhere.

There's no visitor centre, no facilities, no charge - it's just a loch. Bring wellies if the ground looks boggy. Allow ninety minutes if you want a full loop walk, or pop down for twenty minutes to sit on the bank and decompress. Families with young kids might find it a bit quiet and featureless, but keen walkers and anyone after a bit of peace will rate it. Early morning or dusk beats midday.