Loch Cragaidh

Drive far enough north from Durness and you'll find Loch Cragaidh sitting quietly in the Highland landscape - no crowds, no visitor centre, just water and mountains. It's a proper remote spot, the sort of place where you understand why people come to this part of Scotland in the first place.

The loch itself is small and intimate, surrounded by moorland that shifts colour with the seasons. In summer it's all greens and golds; come autumn and it's rust and purple. The light here is extraordinary - those long northern afternoons cast everything in shades you don't normally see. There's a track that lets you walk round parts of it, though the terrain is boggy and uneven, so proper waterproof boots aren't optional.

This is walker territory, not a day-tripper destination. Bring a packed lunch and give yourself a couple of hours if you want to do it properly. Families with young children will struggle with the marshy ground and lack of facilities. But if you're staying at Sango Sands Oasis just down the road - and it's a cracking spot with five-star reviews - this makes an excellent afternoon excursion to break up the holiday.

There's nothing to pay and no formal opening times. That's the trade-off: complete freedom, but you're entirely responsible for getting yourself there and back safely. The drive from Durness takes about twenty minutes. Go on a clear day if you possibly can. On a grey one, it's atmospheric but you'll miss the views that make the journey worthwhile.