Loch na Larach

The loch itself is fairly modest - a freshwater body tucked into the Highland landscape near Strathcarron, more atmospheric than dramatic. You'll find it quieter than the better-known lochs further north, which means fewer tourists but also fewer facilities. It's the kind of place where you come to walk, fish if you've got a rod, or simply sit and watch the light change across the water.

The real appeal is the isolation. There's something restorative about a loch where the main sound is wind and water rather than coaches unloading. History buffs might appreciate that the name references an old settlement - the Highlands are thick with such layers - though you won't find much in the way of interpretation on site. Walkers get the most from it, especially those doing longer routes through the area. Kids might manage twenty minutes before asking what happens next.

Free to visit, obviously. Allow an hour if you're stopping by en route; half a day if you're making a proper outing of it. Best approached with low expectations about facilities - bring a picnic, decent boots, and check the weather before you drive out. Spring and early autumn tend to be least midgy.

If you're based at Shieldaig Camping & Cabins a few miles away, it's worth a morning visit to break up your holiday, though it works better as part of a wider walk through Strathcarron rather than a destination in itself.