Loch Buidhe

The drive north from Ardgay takes you past moorland and forest until suddenly you're looking at a body of water that feels genuinely remote. Loch Buidhe sits quietly in the Highlands, neither crowded nor particularly signposted - which is half its charm.

This is a working landscape rather than a tourist attraction. You'll find locals fishing for brown trout and the occasional walker exploring the quiet shoreline. The loch itself is small enough that you can walk around it in under an hour, taking in the surrounding hills and the particular quality of light that comes off Scottish water on a clear day.

It's worth the detour if you're the type who enjoys a proper walk without the crowds. Families might find it a bit quiet unless the kids are genuinely interested in nature and water. There's no visitor facility, no car park to speak of - just a place where you can pull over and explore on foot. The nearest proper base is Ardgay, just six miles south, where Ardgay Glamping offers a comfortable place to stay if you want to make this a proper outing.

Go in late spring or early autumn when the midges are less biblical and the light lasts longer. Even then, bring proper waterproof kit - this is the Scottish Highlands, after all. Don't expect facilities or crowds. Do expect silence and a genuine sense of being away from things.