Loch Nuis

The water here is properly dark and still, ringed by rough moorland that doesn't bother much with niceties like manicured paths. Loch Nuis sits on the Isle of Arran, a short drive from the main settlements, and it's one of those lochs that rewards you for making the effort to find it rather than screaming for attention.

It's a walk-to kind of place. You're not parking beside it and having a paddle - this is terrain for people who actually like a bit of graft. The surrounding landscape is typical Ayrshire moorland: open, windswept, and genuinely atmospheric on a grey afternoon. Walkers will find it worthwhile. Birdwatchers might spot golden eagles if you're lucky. Families after a casual stroll should probably look elsewhere.

Getting here means leaving the coast roads and heading into proper upland country. The nearest decent base is one of Arran's small towns, though if you're staying at Kings Caves Glamping about four miles away, it's close enough for a proper outing. The loch itself is free to visit, naturally. Allow two to three hours if you're making an actual walk of it rather than just a quick recce.

Winter and early spring tend to be when it looks most dramatic - moody and serious. Summer can feel a bit tamer, though the light lasts longer. Pack waterproofs. The weather up here changes its mind quickly, and there's nowhere to hide once you're out there.