Loch Beinn Dònuill

The loch sits quietly in the Highland landscape north of Ardgay, a proper mountain-ringed water that demands a bit of effort to reach but rewards you for it. This isn't a manicured tourist spot with a car park and a café - you're looking at a genuine wild loch, the kind where you might spot a golden eagle if you're lucky and patient enough.

What makes it worth the trip is the walk in itself. The surrounding hills rise steeply, and the water reflects whatever mood the Scottish weather's in that day - could be gunmetal grey, could be surprisingly blue. There's something about lochs up here that feels properly remote, even when you're only a short drive from civilisation.

It's best suited to walkers and photographers rather than families after an easy afternoon out. You'll want sturdy boots and reasonable fitness. Allow at least two hours to get there and back, longer if you want to sit and soak it in. Spring and early autumn tend to be cracking times - fewer midges, better light, fewer other people.

If you're based at Ardgay Glamping for a Highland break, this works nicely as a half-day adventure. The loch itself has that wild appeal that makes you feel like you've gone somewhere genuinely remote, which matters when you're paying for a proper holiday. It's not the easiest reach, but that's partly why it stays so undisturbed.