Loch Sheilah

The water at Loch Sheilah sits perfectly still most mornings, which is precisely why you'd drive the short stretch from Invergordon to see it. It's a small loch - don't expect Loch Ness drama - but that's rather the point. The Highland landscape rolls around you without fuss: moorland, distant hills, the kind of light that changes every five minutes.

You can walk round it easily enough, though the path isn't always obvious and bog is a genuine possibility if you stray far. The loch itself is best appreciated from the north side where the water reflects whatever sky you've got. On a clear day you'll see proper far. On a grey one it's moody and atmospheric in that very Scottish way.

This works brilliantly if you're staying at one of the nearby pods or glamping spots - Newmore Highland Pods and Delny Glamping are both close enough for a morning stroll before breakfast. It's not a destination in itself; it's more of a pocket-sized pause between other Highlands exploring. History buffs won't find much. Young children might manage a circuit if they're keen walkers, but there's not a great deal to hold their attention beyond the water itself.

Free to visit, naturally. Allow an hour if you're taking your time with photos and the walk. Go midweek outside school holidays if you want solitude - weekends can draw the outdoor crowd from Invergordon.