Loch Càrn nam Badan

High up in the Highland glens, Loch Càrn nam Badan sits quiet and largely ignored by the coaches that crawl down the A82. It's a modest highland loch - nothing dramatic, nothing that screams from the tourism brochures - but that's precisely why it's worth the detour from Beauly.

The water is dark and peaty, the banks scattered with birch and pine, and on a clear day you'll see hills rising at both ends. It's the sort of place where you actually hear nothing but wind and the odd bird call. There's no visitor centre, no facilities, no entrance fee - you just park up nearby and wander to the shore. Depending on what you're after, allow thirty minutes to an hour to have a proper look around.

Walkers get the most from it. There are tracks running partway round the loch, though nothing marked or formal. Families with young kids might find it a bit underwhelming after a while - there's no beach to speak of, no activities beyond looking. Photography types, though, will find it rewarding in poor light especially. The reflections are genuine, not forced.

It works nicely as a break between the noise of Loch Ness and more famous attractions. If you're camped at Cannich Woodland or staying at Loch Ness Glamping, it's close enough for a morning or late afternoon potter without eating up half your day. Don't expect grandeur. Expect solitude, and you'll leave content.