Loch na Crann

A small, quiet loch tucked into the Highland landscape near Strathpeffer, Loch na Crann feels like the sort of place locals know about and tourists miss. There's no visitor centre, no cafe, no fanfare - just water, hills, and the occasional angler. You can walk around it easily enough, though the paths aren't marked with any great ceremony. The loch itself is decent-looking without being dramatic. On a clear day the reflections work nicely. On a grey one - and there are plenty of those up here - it's moody and fine.

For walkers, it's a straightforward circuit that takes perhaps 45 minutes at an easy pace. The surrounding terrain is proper Highland - bracken, heather, the odd birch tree. Birdwatchers might find it worth the trip; anglers certainly do. If you've got young kids expecting splash pads and ice cream vans, they'll be bored within ten minutes. But if you're after a genuine bit of the landscape without the crowds, this does the job.

It's free, naturally, and open whenever you fancy walking there. The nearest town, Strathpeffer, is only a few miles south and makes a good base if you're splitting time between a few lochs and glens. If you're staying at Highland Heights Luxury Glamping nearby, this is an easy morning outing before heading elsewhere. Don't make it your only stop in the area, but don't skip it either if you're passing through.