Loch Lednock

The water here is absolutely still on a calm day - a proper mirror reflecting the Perthshire hills. Loch Lednock sits just northwest of Crieff, a modest loch that doesn't get mobbed with tourists the way some Scottish lakes do, which is exactly why it's worth the detour.

You're looking at a freshwater loch surrounded by woodland and moorland, decent for a walk round the shore if you've got the legs for it. The main thing is the peace of it. There's a car park at the eastern end, and from there you can potter about for an hour or two without running into crowds. The surrounding hills give decent views without requiring a full day's commitment - handy if you're based at one of the nearby holiday parks and want something low-key.

It's the sort of place that appeals to anyone after a quiet break rather than a destination in itself. Walkers will find enough to occupy a morning. Bird watchers occasionally catch something interesting. Families with small children might manage thirty minutes before restlessness sets in. The water itself isn't particularly inviting for swimming, and there's not much in the way of facilities, so you'll want to come prepared.

If you're staying at Loch Earn Leisure Park or Comrie Croft - both within striking distance - Loch Lednock makes a nice gentle morning's outing. It's free access and no time restrictions that I'm aware of, though the path can get boggy after rain. Scottish weather being what it is, go midweek if you can. Weekends bring the occasional family group from Crieff, but it's never really busy.