Loch Faskally

The water at Loch Faskally is impossibly clear on a decent day - you'll spot trout moving near the surface if you're patient enough. It's a reservoir created in the 1950s just outside Pitlochry, and honestly, it punches above its weight as a stopping point. The loch stretches for about a mile, hemmed in by proper Highland scenery, and there's a pleasant walking path that loops around much of it without demanding serious hill fitness.

Walkers will find this genuinely useful. The path is well-maintained, takes roughly 45 minutes to an hour depending on which section you tackle, and it connects nicely with longer routes if you're based in the area. The views back towards the surrounding hills are decent without being dramatic. Fishermen come here regularly - the loch's reputation for brown trout is solid.

There's a car park right at the loch's edge, which makes it accessible even for those not inclined to hoof it from town. No facilities to speak of, so bring what you need. The spot works particularly well if you're staying at Faskally Woods Holiday Park just down the road - it's practically on your doorstep and saves you driving into Pitlochry proper. It's also worth timing a visit after heavy rain when the water level's up and the light hits differently.

Not a destination attraction, but absolutely the sort of place that makes a good park-based holiday feel less static. An hour here beats sitting in a caravan on a drizzly afternoon.