Loch nan Luch

The water here is properly dark and still, ringed by Scots pine and heather that slopes down from the hills. Loch nan Luch sits a few miles south of Beauly - not the kind of place you'd stumble on by accident, which is rather the point. It's a modest Highland loch, the sort that doesn't make the postcards but rewards anyone who bothers to find it.

Walkers will appreciate it most. The track in is straightforward enough, and you get a real sense of being out in proper wilderness without needing crampons or a support team. The loch itself is intimate rather than dramatic - no towering peaks reflected in the water, no tourist infrastructure - just you, the weather, and whatever trout are lurking below the surface. Bring binoculars if you're into birdwatching; golden eagles work this territory.

It's free to visit and worth a couple of hours if you're exploring the Cannich Woodland area - the caravan park sits nearby and makes a decent base for the Strathglass Valley. The walk is manageable for reasonably fit families, though younger kids might find the return trek a slog depending on mood and weather. Allow half a day to do it properly without rushing.

Go on a clear day if you can manage it. Mist and loch together are atmospheric but they do rather swallow the landscape whole. Winter brings emptiness and silence - brilliant for anyone wanting to escape the crowds, less ideal for those after views.