Loch Craiglin

Water this dark and still doesn't exist much in southern England, which is probably why Loch Craiglin feels like the real deal once you've driven the winding roads out from Lochgilphead. It's a modest freshwater loch, the sort of place that rewards a quiet morning more than a noisy afternoon, and the walking around it is proper straightforward without being dull.

The loch itself isn't huge - you're not going to spend all day here - but it's got that raw Argyll character: tree-lined banks, decent water reflections when the wind drops, and the kind of solitude you get when there aren't tourist crowds. It works best as a walking destination rather than a destination in itself. The paths are accessible enough for families with reasonable stamina, though not paved or manicured. Fishermen do come here, so expect the occasional rod and line but usually not the circus.

If you're based at Lochgilphead Caravan Park or The Pod Over By - both within a few miles - this makes a solid morning excursion while you're exploring the wider Loch Lomond and Trossachs area. It's the sort of place you'd visit for the walk rather than for facilities, so bring a flask and decent shoes. There's no cafe, no car park to speak of, no visitor centre. Free to access, obviously. Allow a couple of hours for a circuit if you're in no rush, less if you're just stretching your legs. Not Instagram gold, but honest and satisfying.