Loch Oire

You'll find Loch Oire tucked away in Moray, a proper freshwater loch that sits quietly without the crowds you'd get at some of Scotland's more famous lochs. The water's dark and reflective, fringed with birch and pine, and on a still day it's genuinely peaceful - the kind of place where you notice how few people are about.

It's a walker's spot mainly. The loch itself doesn't have facilities or attractions in the traditional sense, but the walk around it and the surrounding moorland are the draw. You're looking at an hour or two depending on your pace and which direction you fancy. The terrain's manageable rather than challenging, so families with older kids would manage fine, though very young ones might find it a bit dull without a destination building or playground at the end.

Historically it's not got a massive story attached - no ruined castle or ancient settlement - so if you're after heritage tourism, this won't be your day out. What you get instead is genuine quiet and the chance to move around without fighting for space.

Lochnabo is your nearest settlement, about a short drive away. If you're based at Cairnty Lodges & Glamping Pods nearby, this makes an easy morning or afternoon excursion - you could do the walk before breakfast or as a pre-dinner stretch. Timing-wise, spring and early autumn are best; midges can be ruthless in July and August, and winter can feel properly bleak.

Free to visit, no facilities that I'm aware of, so bring what you need.