Loch Camas an Fheidh

The water here is startlingly clear - you can see right down to the rocky bottom in places, which shouldn't surprise you given how remote this loch is. Loch Camas an Fheidh sits in the Highlands near Ullapool, a proper tidy spot that most visitors rush past on their way to somewhere else. That's their loss.

It's a straightforward walk to reach it, nothing too taxing, and once you're there you've got a peaceful freshwater loch surrounded by moorland and the kind of quiet that only the Scottish Highlands can offer. The light changes constantly across the water - one minute it's grey-blue, the next almost turquoise. Bring binoculars if you're into birds; golden eagles turn up here, and it's worth watching the water's edge for deer if you're patient enough.

Walkers will find this genuinely worthwhile, especially if you're already in the area. History types won't get much from it - there's no ruined castle or ancient settlement to poke about - but if you want a half-day excursion that feels like you've actually left civilisation behind, it delivers. Allow a couple of hours including the walk.

Port a Bhaigh Campsite is barely half a mile away, so you could easily base yourself there and explore the loch as part of a broader Highland park holiday. It's not flashy or Instagram-ready, but that's exactly why it works. The Highlands are full of places everyone knows; this feels like you've found something yourself.