Loch Meall a'Bhainne

The walk down to Loch Meall a'Bhainne is modest but rewarding if you're already in the Gairloch area. It's not a destination that'll eat up your entire day - more the sort of spot you tack onto an afternoon when the weather's cooperating and you fancy a quiet water's edge without the crowds.

What you get is a small Highland loch ringed by moorland, calm and reflective on still days. The approach involves a gentle tramp across open ground, nothing technical, so it suits families with decent walkers aged ten and up. Older hikers might find it a bit tame, but the light here is proper lovely in late afternoon, especially when the water catches it.

The real appeal is isolation. You won't bump into tour groups or find a visitor centre with a gift shop. Just water, heather, and the sound of it. On a clear day you get decent views towards the surrounding peaks. Allow an hour to two hours depending on your pace and whether you faff about taking photographs.

If you're staying at Sands Caravan & Camping just down the road near Gairloch, this makes a logical leg-stretch between longer excursions. It's free, obviously - it's just a loch. Best visited spring through early autumn when the paths aren't boggy, and definitely not on a dreich day when the cloud comes in hard. Worth the effort if you're after something off the beaten track.