Loch Meall a' Mhadaidh

The water here sits so still it's almost unreal - mirror-flat on a calm day, reflecting the surrounding hills like some kind of landscape photograph turned inside out. Loch Meall a' Mhadaidh isn't the sort of place you stumble upon by accident. You have to want to find it, tucked away in the Highlands south of Beauly, and that's precisely why it's worth the effort.

It's a modest loch by Highland standards, nothing that'll bowl you over with drama or size. But what you get instead is quiet. Proper quiet. The kind of place where walkers and outdoor types come to escape the more trampled routes. There's a decent walk around the shoreline if you're inclined, though the terrain can be boggy depending on recent rainfall - waterproof boots aren't optional here.

If you're staying at Cannich Woodland Camping and Caravan Park just down the road, this makes a solid half-day outing. Families with young kids might find it a bit underwhelming unless they're keen on a straightforward walk and a picnic. But for anyone who actually wants to breathe rather than tick boxes, it's well worth the detour. Photography types will have a field day if the light's right.

There's no visitor centre or facilities - bring what you need. Go early in the day or late afternoon when the crowds (such as they are) have thinned out. Summer's the safest bet weather-wise, though the midges can be biblical.