Loch Àiridh a' Phuill

The water here is properly still on a calm day - a dark mirror reflecting the Highland hills that rise up on all sides. Loch Àiridh a' Phuill sits inland from Gairloch, tucked away enough that you won't stumble upon it by accident, but accessible enough for a decent half-day outing if you're based nearby.

It's a modest loch, not one of those vast waters that dominate the postcards. What you get instead is something quieter - good for walkers wanting a gentler circuit around the shoreline, or anyone after a bit of peace without the crowds that gather at the bigger lochs further south. The scenery is classic Scottish Highlands: moorland, craggy slopes, the occasional golden eagle if you're lucky.

Families with young kids might find the walk a touch underwhelming - there's no café, no visitor facilities, no dramatic waterfalls or ruins to break up the circuit. Serious hill walkers will find it a useful waypoint rather than a destination in itself. Photographers and birdwatchers, though, will want to spend proper time here. The light changes constantly across the water, especially in late afternoon.

If you're staying at Sands Caravan & Camping near Gairloch, it's worth the short drive inland. Combine it with a walk up one of the surrounding hills for a proper morning out. Allow two to three hours all in. Spring and early autumn are best - fewer midges, clearer skies.