Loch Nahinie

The water at Loch Nahinie sits perfectly still on a calm day - so still you'd swear it was a sheet of dark glass. It's a modest loch in the Dumfries & Galloway region, lying a short drive from Newton Stewart, and it's the kind of place that rewards you simply for showing up without fuss.

What you get here is straightforward: a quiet stretch of water ringed by moorland and forestry. There's a pleasant walk around the loch itself, nothing strenuous, taking the better part of an hour if you're not rushing. The surrounding landscape rolls gently - proper Lowland scenery, all soft edges rather than dramatic peaks. Walkers will find it peaceful rather than challenging, and it's well worth the drive if you're after somewhere to stretch your legs without the crowds.

Families staying at Galloway Forest Holiday Park - just four and a half miles away - could easily make an afternoon of it. Kids won't be overstimulated, but they won't be bored either if they enjoy the outdoors. The loch has a working quality to it; you might see fishing activity, which adds life to the scene.

There's no visitor centre or facilities to speak of, so come prepared. Access appears to be free and unrestricted. Time it for late afternoon when the light softens across the water, and the wind often drops. It's not a headline destination, but as part of a broader Galloway holiday it slots in nicely - something to do between bigger attractions, somewhere to breathe.