Loch Diabaigas Àirde

The water here is so dark it's almost black, reflecting the bare mountains that shoot up from the shore without warning. Loch Diabaigas Àirde sits in proper remote Highland country, a fair trek from Strathcarron, and it's absolutely the kind of place you stumble upon rather than plan for.

There's no visitor centre or infrastructure - you just show up, find a spot to park, and walk. The loch itself is small enough that you can take it in from the shore without committing to a full circuit, though walkers will find the perimeter path rewarding if you've got the legs for it. The landscape is bleak and dramatic - not postcard pretty, but genuinely moving if moorland and Highland solitude appeal to you.

Honestly? It's not for everyone. Families with young kids will get bored quickly unless they're genuinely into wild swimming or serious hiking. But if you're based at Shieldaig Camping & Cabins down the road and you want to escape the busier loch trails, this delivers exactly that. The drive alone through the glens is worth it.

Go midweek if you can - even in summer it rarely gets crowded. Allow a couple of hours if you're just walking the shore, longer if you fancy exploring properly. There's nowhere to buy food or drink nearby, so bring supplies. Free to visit, obviously. Weather changes fast out here, so proper waterproofs aren't optional.