Loch na h-Achlaise

The water here is so still first thing in the morning that you can't tell where the loch ends and the sky begins. Loch na h-Achlaise sits in proper Highland terrain, about six miles from Ullapool, and it's the sort of place that rewards early starts. There's no visitor centre, no cafe, no facilities to speak of - just the loch itself, ringed by moorland and distant peaks that shift colour depending on the light.

Walkers will find this genuinely worthwhile. The loch sits at the heart of open country that invites exploration, whether you want a gentle circuit of the water or longer days into the surrounding hills. The views open up considerably as you gain height on the surrounding slopes. You won't see crowds here, which is rather the point.

It's free to visit, naturally. There's parking near the approach, though space is limited. Allow two to three hours for a proper walk round the loch itself, longer if you venture onto the moorland beyond. The Highland weather can turn without notice, so come prepared - this isn't sheltered terrain.

If you're based at Port a Bhaigh Campsite just down the road, Loch na h-Achlaise makes an excellent day out that doesn't demand the full expedition of bigger lochs further afield. It's the sort of place where you'll actually see the Highlands as they are rather than as postcards suggest they should be. Wild, honest, and genuinely quiet.