Loch nam Breac Dearga

The water here is proper dark, almost black in certain light - hence the name, which translates to Loch of the Red Trout. It's a small Highland loch sitting quietly inland from Inverness, the kind of place you stumble upon rather than plan for. The shoreline is rough and peaty, with Scots pine dotting the banks and the hills rising gently behind. There's no visitor centre or facilities to speak of, which is either brilliant or a letdown depending on your mood.

This is a spot for walkers and anglers rather than casual tourists. If you're after a gentle loch-side stroll with real solitude, you'll find it here - no crowds, no car parks, just you and the water. The views are understated: the loch stretches north and there's a sense of being properly away from things, even though Inverness is only a handful of miles south. Photographers might find something worth shooting on a grey Highland day when the light catches the water just right.

Based nearby, Loch Ness Shores or Loch Ness Holiday Park make sensible bases if you're exploring this corner of the Highlands. Either way, factor this in as a quiet morning walk rather than a half-day activity. Access is free and unrestricted, though there's genuinely nowhere to park except rough verge. Wet weather gear is non-negotiable - this is Highland lochs, after all.