Loch Derry

Loch Derry sits quietly in the rolling hills between Newton Stewart and the Merrick range, the kind of water that rewards those willing to venture slightly off the main tourist trail. It's a modest loch by Scottish standards - nothing dramatic, no jagged peaks looming overhead - but that's rather the point. The banks are gentle, wooded in places, and the light plays across the surface in that particular way it does in Dumfries and Galloway when the clouds shift.

You'll want to come here for a proper walk rather than a quick snap. There's no visitor infrastructure to speak of, so bring what you need. The loch works brilliantly as part of a wider day out - it sits within striking distance of Three Lochs Holiday Park and Barnharrow Holiday Pods, both about five miles away, making it a natural addition to a week exploring the lochs and glens of the southwest. Walkers heading to the Merrick will pass nearby; history types can take in the old ruined structures dotted through the landscape.

It's the sort of place families will either love or find a bit too quiet depending on the kids' tolerance for "just a loch". Adults after solitude and a decent hike will find it excellent. The best time is late spring through early autumn when you're not squelching through bog, though the moorland has its own appeal in winter light if you're prepared for weather.

Free to visit, obviously. Allow two to three hours if you're walking the full perimeter.