Loch nam Meirleach

You won't find crowds at Loch nam Meirleach, and that's rather the point. This remote Highland water sits tucked into the landscape near Beauly, the sort of place you stumble upon while exploring the quieter corners of the Scottish interior rather than somewhere you'd drive specifically to see.

The loch itself is modest in size but proper atmospheric. The shoreline is rough and natural, fringed with heather and scattered pines, and the light changes dramatically depending on weather and time of day. There's no visitor infrastructure to speak of - no car park, no café, no signage telling you what to do. You turn up, walk the perimeter if you fancy it, and drink in the silence. Photographers might find it worth the detour on a clear day when the hills reflect nicely in the water.

This is walker territory, really. Not difficult terrain, but you need to be comfortable with unmarked paths and bog. Families with young children would likely get restless within an hour. Birdwatchers and landscape types will get considerably more from it.

If you're staying at Cannich Woodland Camping and Caravan Park just up the road, Loch nam Meirleach makes a decent morning ramble. Allow a couple of hours for a gentle circuit. It's free, naturally, and there's no formal opening hours - just turn up when daylight permits. Best visited in drier months when the ground isn't waterlogged. Don't expect facilities. Do expect peace.