Loch nan Faoileag

The water here is dark and still, ringed by steep hillsides that drop straight down. Loch nan Faoileag sits tucked into the Highlands above Fort Augustus, and it's the kind of place you stumble upon rather than plan for. There's no visitor centre, no tearoom, no marked viewpoint - just you, the loch, and the mountains pressing in on all sides.

It's a solid walk from the nearest road, which filters out the day-trippers nicely. If you're into hiking, it's worth the leg work. The water reflects whatever light breaks through the cloud cover, and the scale of the surrounding peaks makes you feel properly small. Not the most dramatic of Scotland's lochs, but there's something about its remoteness that works.

You'll need decent boots and an hour or so, depending on your fitness. The paths aren't maintained to any particular standard, so it's not one for pushing a buggy. Families with older kids who don't mind rough terrain will find it rewarding. History buffs might find the isolation appealing - this is deep Highland country with plenty of stories attached to the glens, though nothing obvious to point to on the ground.

If you're staying at Loch Ness Highland Resort a few miles away, this makes a good morning out before heading back for lunch. It's genuinely quiet, which is increasingly rare anywhere near Loch Ness. Time it for a settled day - the weather up here can turn fast.