Loch Cille an Aonghais

The water here sits absolutely still on a calm day - mirror-flat and reflecting the surrounding hills with an almost eerie perfection. Loch Cille an Aonghais is a proper wee Highland loch tucked away in Argyll, the kind of place you stumble upon rather than plan for, located a short drive inland from Tarbert on the Kintyre Peninsula.

It's not a dramatic destination. There's no visitor centre, no car park with facilities, no crowds. What you get instead is quiet. The loch is small and peaceful, ringed by moorland and low hills - excellent for a gentle walk round the shoreline if the ground's not too boggy, or simply for stopping to breathe and take in the landscape. Photographers might find something worth framing here, especially in soft light. Birdwatchers occasionally spot interesting visitors, though it's hardly Loch Lomond.

This is a spot for people who appreciate solitude and understated beauty rather than dramatic scenery. Families with restless kids won't find much to hold their attention for long. Walkers and nature types will get more from it - the walk is manageable and the surrounding moorland has character.

Being minutes from Tarbert, it works well as a break during a park holiday. Both Tarbert Holiday Park and Port Ban Holiday Park sit just down the road, so you can slot this in during a morning exploration without any real commitment. Go early or late in the day when the light's better and you've got a genuine chance of having the place to yourself.