Loch Lomond

Scotland's largest freshwater loch sprawls across 23 miles of Argyll, and the first time you clap eyes on it from the A82, you understand why the Victorians were obsessed with the place. The water's genuinely massive - 630 metres deep in places - and the mountains rise sharp on either side, particularly Ben Lomond itself, which dominates the eastern shore and practically demands you climb it if you've got the legs for it.

You can explore from Jamestown, the nearest settlement, though most people gravitate towards the busier settlements further south like Balloch and Tarbet. The loch itself is free to access - you can walk the shoreline in bits, rent a boat if you fancy messing about on the water, or simply park up and stare at it with a flask of tea, which is honestly underrated. Ben Lomond's the proper draw for serious walkers: expect three to four hours for the round trip if you're reasonably fit, and the views from the top stretch all the way to the Firth of Clyde on clear days.

Historically it's caught up with Rob Roy MacGregor and clan warfare, though the landscape does most of the talking here rather than plaques and museums. Families with young kids might find the walk a bit much, but the waterside villages have ice cream shops and boat trips that'll keep them occupied for an afternoon. Stay at Loch Lomond Retreat or Lomond Woods Holiday Park - both within walking distance of the water - and you've got a solid base for exploring the Trossachs beyond.