Loch nan Cnaimhean

This remote loch sits tucked into the Sutherland landscape where few tourists venture. The water is dark and still most days, ringed by moorland that stretches toward low hills. There's no café, no visitor centre, no proper facilities - just you, the water, and plenty of silence.

It's the sort of place walkers actually enjoy, rather than somewhere you tick off a list. The loch itself is small enough that you can get round it in an afternoon, though the approach from the nearest tracks takes a bit of effort across rough ground. Bring decent boots. The rewards are genuine though - this is Highland Scotland without the crowds, and if you're after moody landscapes and a proper sense of isolation, it delivers.

Family groups with young kids might find it underwhelming on its own - there's nothing interactive here, no obvious stopping points or views that immediately make the journey feel worthwhile to a bored seven-year-old. But if you're staying at Clachtoll Beach Campsite just 4.5 miles away and fancy a half-day ramble to escape the caravan park bustle, it's worth the walk.

Go early morning if you can manage it. The light across the water is better, and you'll likely have the place entirely to yourself. There's free access as far as I could tell, though this is remote country - leave nothing behind and respect the land.