Loch Phadruig

The water here is properly dark, the kind of loch that demands respect. Loch Phadruig sits in the heart of Aberdeenshire's Highland landscape, about twenty minutes from Ballater - a straightforward drive inland where the glens start to narrow and the mountains close in. It's a working fishing loch first and foremost, which means it doesn't have the manicured feel of some Scottish water sports centres. That's rather the point.

What you get is a genuine slice of upland Scotland. The shoreline is accessible in places, though not evenly so - you'll find spots where you can sit with a coffee and watch for fish rises, and other stretches where the banks steepen and the heather takes over. If you're into fishing, this is your reason to visit. The trout population keeps locals and visiting anglers coming back. Non-anglers will find a decent walk around the perimeter, though I'd budget two to three hours if you're not in a tearing hurry, and waterproof shoes are essential - the ground stays boggy well into summer.

It works brilliantly as a half-day stop if you're staying at Braemar Caravan Park down the road. The big attraction here is solitude. You won't find crowds, visitor facilities, or much in the way of signposting. That appeals to some folk enormously and bores others rigid. If you're the sort who finds peace in empty water and high moorland, drive over. If you need a visitor centre and a café, keep going.