Loch Lochy

The water here is genuinely dark - not in a threatening way, just deep and serious-looking against the Highlands backdrop. Loch Lochy stretches for about ten miles south of Fort William, and it's the kind of place where you can spend an afternoon without needing a plan. Walking along the shore takes you past Caledonian Canal locks, where you might spot narrowboats making their way through. The scenery does the heavy lifting: Ben Nevis looms in the distance, and the surrounding hills come right down to the water's edge.

It's ideal for walkers rather than swimmers - the water's glacial cold, and there aren't really any facilities to speak of. You can drive alongside sections of it, which means you're not locked into a long trek if you don't fancy one. The canal towpath offers decent walking, particularly towards Laggan Locks further south - around an hour's stroll if you're leisurely about it.

Unlike some Highland lochs, this one doesn't feel overly touristy. It's quiet, especially midweek. Families with young children might find twenty minutes satisfying before restlessness sets in, but keen walkers or photographers should allow a good half-day. There's proper parking at various points along the A82.

If you're staying at Ben Nevis Holiday Park down towards Fort William, Loch Lochy is an easy detour northwards. It works well as part of a bigger day exploring the Great Glen Way or the canal towpaths rather than as a standalone destination. Go in autumn when the light's golden and the midges have buggered off.