Loch na Smeoraich

The water here is absolutely still on a calm day - mirror-flat and reflecting the surrounding hills like glass. Loch na Smeoraich sits quietly in the Highlands near Kyle of Lochalsh, and it's the sort of place you stumble upon rather than plan for. There's no visitor centre, no café, no fanfare. Just a loch doing what lochs do best.

It's genuinely worth a detour if you're hiking or driving through the area. The loch itself isn't massive, but that's rather the point. You get proper Highland scenery without the crowds you'd find at the bigger, more famous lochs. Photography types will love it - the light catches the water beautifully in late afternoon. Walkers can explore the surrounding terrain, though there aren't formal paths marked out, so you'll be picking your own route. Bring a map or a phone with decent coverage.

Family groups with young kids might find it a bit quiet and empty for extended visits - there's not much to do once you've taken the photos and had a good look around. Give it an hour, maybe ninety minutes. Best in autumn when the light's low and moody, or early summer when the midges aren't at their absolute worst.

Stay at Reraig Caravan & Camping on Skye, just 2.7 miles away, and you can easily work this into a broader Highland exploration. It's a proper base for the area, well-rated too. Loch na Smeoraich works best as part of a bigger day out rather than a destination in itself.