Loch nan Ceard Mor

The water here is properly dark - almost black in certain light - and that's what makes Loch nan Ceard Mor worth the drive from Inveraray. It's a remote Highland loch that most tourists miss entirely, which means you'll have the place largely to yourself unless you hit peak summer weekends.

There's not much by way of facilities or formal attractions. This is a walk-and-look kind of place. The shoreline is rough, moorland extends back from the water's edge, and the hills rise up around it in that moody Argyll way. It's perfect if you want to stretch your legs after a day of driving, or if you're the sort who just wants to stand about and breathe properly for twenty minutes. Kids might get restless unless they're old enough to appreciate the quiet.

Access is straightforward enough - you can park near the loch and walk the perimeter if you fancy it, though the terrain is boggy in places and the paths aren't manicured. Go in dry weather. The light changes constantly here; late afternoon when the sun's lower gives you the best of it.

If you're staying at Fyne Glamping nearby - and it's excellent for what it is - this makes a sensible morning or late-day outing. It breaks up time between the bigger attractions without demanding much effort. Don't expect Loch Lomond crowds or postcard-ready vistas. Expect solitude and something genuinely Scottish.