Loch Meadaidh

Drive inland from Durness and you'll spot Loch Meadaidh tucked into the Highland landscape - a freshwater loch that feels properly remote despite being just a few miles from the coast. It's a straightforward spot: moorland around the water, decent views across to the surrounding hills, and the kind of silence you only get when you're this far north.

This is walker territory first and foremost. The loch itself isn't dramatic - no waterfalls or dramatic cliffs - but it's the kind of place that rewards a slow loop on foot, especially if you're after something quieter than the honeypot trails nearer the coast. Anglers come here too, though you'll want to check locally about permissions. In summer, the light hangs around until nearly midnight, which changes everything about how you experience the place. Winter's a different beast altogether - moody, dark by mid-afternoon, but spectacular if the weather holds.

Worth the detour? Only if you're already in the Durness area and don't mind a drive on narrow roads for scenery that won't take your breath away. It's the kind of loch that fits into a bigger day rather than standing alone as a destination. Families with restless kids might find it a bit thin on activity - there's nowhere to paddle safely, no visitor facilities, nothing but water and moorland. But if you're staying at Sango Sands Oasis nearby and want a proper walk away from the caravan parks, this delivers exactly what it promises: peace and space.