Loch of Muirs

You won't find crowds at Loch of Muirs, which is precisely why it's worth the drive from Thurso. This is a proper Highland loch - dark water, moorland creeping right down to the edges, and the kind of silence that actually feels loud after a while.

It's a walker's spot rather than a destination where you'd spend half the day. The loch itself sits in open country, so there are decent paths around it if you fancy a circuit, though the terrain is bog-standard moorland - nothing manicured. Bring waterproof boots unless you enjoy soggy socks. The views aren't dramatic in the way Glen Coe is dramatic, but there's something quietly compelling about it. On a clear day you get a real sense of how vast and empty this corner of the Highlands actually is.

Realistic time: allow two to three hours for a walk and a look around. Families with young children might find it a bit bleak and featureless, but teenagers who aren't glued to their phones could enjoy it. Serious landscape photographers will find the light here interesting, especially in the long northern evenings.

The nearest proper base is Thurso, though Little Croft Highlands sits just 3.7 miles away and would make a solid camp or glamping spot if you're doing the north coast properly. There's nothing fancy near the loch itself - no cafes, no facilities - so bring a flask and snacks. Free to visit and open year-round, though winter wind here is no joke.