Loch Sholum

You'll find yourself on the Isle of Islay staring at a body of water that feels genuinely remote - Loch Sholum sits in terrain that makes you work for the view, which somehow makes it better. The loch itself is modest in size but the setting is what counts: moorland that rolls toward it, the kind of place where you're more likely to spot golden eagles than other tourists.

This isn't a destination with facilities or visitor infrastructure. There's no cafe, no car park, no interpretive boards. You come here to walk, to breathe, and if you're very lucky, to see red deer grazing near the water's edge. Walkers will get the most from it - allow a couple of hours minimum if you're coming from the nearest settlements on Islay.

The loch works well as part of a wider Islay walking holiday, not as a standalone trip. If you're staying at Islay Glamping Pods just down the road, it's a proper way to spend a morning before heading to distillery tours or the island's dramatic coastal paths. Go in the morning when the light's best and the midges are less aggressive - they can be absolutely relentless in summer.

Access is free. There's a certain appeal to places that ask nothing of you except time and decent walking boots. It's not Instagram material and it won't blow your mind, but it's undeniably part of what makes this island feel untamed.