Loch Fithie

You'll find yourself driving through proper Aberdeenshire countryside before Loch Fithie suddenly appears - a modest but genuine Scottish loch that doesn't get the crowds of its more famous cousins. It's the kind of place where you can actually hear yourself think, which in the Highlands feels almost rebellious.

The loch itself is small enough to walk around in under an hour, though most visitors park up at one of the pull-offs and simply sit with a coffee, watching the water. There's no visitors' centre, no gift shop, no faffing about - just the loch and the moorland rolling away behind it. On a clear day the reflections are excellent for photography, and on misty mornings it's properly atmospheric in that moody Scottish way.

Walkers will get the most from it. The shoreline paths are accessible without being demanding, and it makes a sensible morning detour if you're staying in or around Forfar. Families with young kids might find an hour enough unless they're keen on spotting waterfowl - the birdlife is decent. History enthusiasts won't find much to grip them here; this is purely about landscape and fresh air.

If you're glamping at Greenhillock just down the road, absolutely worth the short drive. It's free to visit, no set hours - the Scottish tradition of open access means you can roll up whenever suits you. Go early or late to dodge what little footfall there is.