Loch na h-Airidhe Bige

The water here is so dark it's almost black, reflecting the bare mountains that rise straight up from the shore. Loch na h-Airidhe Bige sits in one of those proper remote corners of the Highlands where you feel genuinely removed from everything. It's a small loch - nothing like the famous ones you'll have seen on postcards - which honestly works in its favour. You get the drama without the crowds.

There's no visitor centre or developed infrastructure, which means you're coming here for the walk and the light on the water, not for amenities. The surrounding hills offer decent low-level rambling if you've got the energy, and the loch itself is worth circling if you've got a couple of hours spare. It's the kind of place that rewards a patient camera or just standing about in quiet contemplation.

Strathcarron sits closest by, a small village with basic supplies. If you're based at Shieldaig Camping & Cabins - about 6 miles away - this makes a good half-day outing when the weather cooperates. The Highlands throw everything at you, so pick a day when the cloud's actually lifted off the peaks. Summer's your best bet, though the midges can be fierce by August.

Will kids enjoy it? Only the ones who don't need constant stimulation. For serious walkers and photographers after something genuinely untouched, it's worth the effort to get here. It won't take half the day, but the quietness stays with you.