Loch nan Gabhar

A proper highland loch surrounded by moorland that feels genuinely remote, even though you're on Islay. The water is dark and still most days, reflecting the hills that rise up around it - nothing dramatic, but there's a quietness to the place that gets under your skin.

You'll walk in from the road near Port Askaig, which takes about twenty minutes depending on the path you pick. There's no visitor centre or facilities, just you and the landscape. It's the sort of loch that appeals to walkers and photographers rather than families looking for activities - if your kids need a playground, this won't hold their attention. But if you want to sit on a rock with a flask and actually hear yourself think, this is it.

The walk itself is straightforward enough, though it can be boggy after rain and the midges can be biblical in summer. Go in spring or autumn if you can. It's free, obviously - there's nothing to pay for.

If you're basing yourself at Islay Glamping Pods, Loch nan Gabhar makes a decent morning outing before heading into Port Ellen or Bowmore for lunch. It's not the sort of place you'd travel three hours to visit on its own, but it's absolutely worth the detour if you're already staying on the island. The walk clears your head in a way most Scottish lochs do.