Loch na Dàil

The loch itself is a proper inland water rather than a sea inlet, sitting quiet in the Highland landscape a few miles from Ullapool. It's the kind of place you stumble upon rather than plan a special trip for - a modest stretch of freshwater surrounded by moorland and low hills. There's no visitor centre or facilities to speak of, which means you get the place mostly to yourself, especially outside summer weekends.

Walkers and photographers do best here. The shoreline offers decent paths for a gentle circuit, and the water reflects the sky in that particular way lochs do - grey-blue one moment, almost silver the next depending on the cloud. It's not dramatic like some of the bigger lochs further north, but that's rather the point. You can be here an hour or three without seeing another soul.

Families with young children might find it a bit sparse unless they're keen on a straightforward walk and a bit of paddling. There's no playpark or café, and the nearest amenities are back in Ullapool itself. Port a Bhaigh Campsite is close by though, making it an easy option if you're camping in the area and want an alternative to the usual tourist circuit.

Go on a clear day if you can. Rain turns this landscape quite bleak. Allow two hours for a comfortable loop of the loch, longer if you're the type to sit and sketch or just watch the water.