Loch na Leoba

The drive up to Loch na Leoba is half the appeal - you're climbing into proper Highland country, the landscape getting wilder and more dramatic the further you push from Newtonmore. Once you're there, you get a decent-sized freshwater loch surrounded by moorland and distant hills, the sort of place where the weather can turn in minutes and suddenly everything looks moody and atmospheric.

It's a straightforward spot for a walk around the shore, though the terrain's boggy in places and the paths aren't formally maintained. Bring decent boots. Fishing types come here regularly - it's known locally for brown trout - so if you're into that, it's worth checking locally for permissions and what's currently biting. For families, it works as a gentle afternoon outing from either Invernahavon Caravan Park or Laggan Glamping if you're based nearby, though there's nothing spectacular enough to warrant driving out of your way on its own. Allow a couple of hours for a circuit and you'll have seen what there is to see.

The real value is in the solitude. You won't fight crowds here, and on a clear day the Highland views are genuinely impressive. It's the kind of place that feels properly remote without actually being difficult to reach. Time it for late afternoon when the light gets good and the midges are less aggressive. Free to visit, naturally, though you'll need to be self-sufficient - no facilities whatsoever. It slots in well with a broader Highland park holiday if you're spending time in the Newtonmore area.