Loch Charles

The water at Loch Charles sits absolutely still on a calm day - you'll see why locals bother making the trip out here near Blairgowrie. It's a modest highland loch, nothing like the tourist-mobbed Lochs Lomond or Katrine, which is precisely the point. The shoreline is accessible in places, and the surrounding hills give decent walking territory if you're not just after a quick look.

Walkers will get the most from it. The loch works best as part of a longer route rather than a standalone destination - it's the view that stops you, not an afternoon's entertainment. Early morning or late afternoon light transforms it properly. Don't expect facilities or crowds. There's a car park of sorts and the ability to walk the banks in sections, though it's not a manicured circuit.

If you're staying at Corriefodly Holiday Park, it's barely twenty minutes away - worth combining with other local walks around the area. Glenshee Glamping is similarly close and makes a good base for exploring this quieter part of Perthshire. Peak season brings more midges, so autumn or spring visits tend to be better. The loch doesn't demand hours of your time, but it's exactly the sort of place that reminds you why people come to Scotland. Call ahead or check locally for parking specifics - infrastructure here is basic by design.