Loch Àirigh Uilleim

You won't find crowds at Loch Àirigh Uilleim, and that's precisely why you should go. This small Highland loch sits quietly near Gairloch, the kind of place where you'll likely have the water to yourself on an ordinary afternoon. The loch itself is modest in size but striking in setting - moorland tumbles down to the shoreline, and on clear days the distant mountains frame it all rather nicely.

What you do here depends entirely on your mood. Walkers come for the circuit round the water, which takes a good couple of hours at a leisurely pace and rewards you with changing perspectives of the loch and surrounding hills. The path is straightforward enough without being dull. Fishing is possible too, though you'll want to check local access arrangements first. Photography types find it worth the detour, especially when low light catches the water properly.

Family groups with young children might find it a bit quiet - there's no facilities, no café, no visitor infrastructure whatsoever. But older kids who actually enjoy walking and don't need entertainment laid on will get something genuine from it. It's the sort of place that teaches you what Scottish lochs are actually about, without the tourists queuing for photos.

Gairloch itself is fifteen minutes away by car, which makes this a proper add-on to a wider Highland holiday. Sands Caravan & Camping, just down the road, puts you perfectly positioned for exploring both this loch and the broader Gairloch area. Allow two to three hours if you're walking the full circuit. No admission charge, no opening hours to worry about - just turn up.