Loch Carn a' Chuilinn

You won't find coach loads here, which is precisely the point. Loch Carn a' Chuilinn sits quietly in the Highlands south of Inverness, a proper mountain loch that rewards those willing to venture off the main tourist trail. The water is dark and cold, ringed by steep slopes covered in heather and pine - the kind of landscape that makes you understand why people travel to Scotland in the first place.

This is walker territory. The loch doesn't have facilities or marked paths in the traditional sense; you're coming for the raw Highland scenery and the chance to see golden eagles if luck's on your side. Allow a couple of hours for a decent circuit walk, longer if you want to sit about and just absorb it. The slopes are steep in places, so it's not ideal for young kids or anyone unsteady on their feet, but fit walkers and keen photographers will find it genuinely worth the effort.

Based near Inverness, you could couple this with a stay at Loch Ness Highland Resort, which sits just four miles away and offers proper facilities if you need them. Summer is best - the midges are still present but manageable, and the light lasts until late. Winter gets moody and atmospheric but the weather turns vicious quickly. Spring and autumn can be lovely and quieter than peak season. Free to visit, naturally. No gift shop, no café, no crowds. That's the appeal.