Loch Gaineamhach Beag

A proper wee lochan tucked into the hills above Strathcarron, Loch Gaineamhach Beag is the sort of place you stumble upon rather than plan for. The water sits quiet and dark, ringed by heather and rough moorland that feels genuinely remote even though you're only a few miles from the main road.

There's not much to do here in the tourist attraction sense - no visitor centre, no facilities, no crowds. What you get instead is solitude and the kind of view that makes you understand why people live in the Highlands despite the weather. The walk in takes about half an hour from the nearest access point, and it's decent moorland terrain rather than a manicured path. Bring proper boots. Walkers and photographers will find it worthwhile; families with small children might find it a bit bleak and windswept unless they're genuinely keen on a proper Scottish hike.

Go on a clear day if you can - mist rolls in quickly up here and the whole thing becomes a grey wash. The best light is usually late afternoon, golden and proper moody.

It works well as a side mission if you're based at Shieldaig Camping & Cabins nearby. Combine it with a walk along the coast or a drive through Glen Torridon and you've got a decent day mapped out. Not somewhere to plan your whole trip around, but if you're in the area with time to kill and the weather plays ball, it's worth the detour.