Loch Skelloch

Loch Skelloch sits quietly in the rolling countryside south of Maybole, a proper Scottish loch that most tourists miss entirely. The water's dark and peaty, surrounded by moorland that shifts colour with the seasons - bronze in autumn, almost purple when the heather blooms. It's not one of those dramatic Highland lochs with mountains looming over it, but that's rather the point. There's a gentle, undramatic beauty here that rewards a slow visit.

You can walk round the loch if you're keen, though the paths aren't always obvious - bring decent boots and expect boggy patches. The shoreline has spots where you can sit and watch for wildlife: red grouse, maybe an osprey if you're lucky. Fishermen come here too, so if you're into that sort of thing, it's apparently decent for pike and perch.

This is less about tick-box sightseeing and more about stopping still for a bit. It'll take you an hour or two depending on pace. The loch itself is free to access - there's no visitor centre or facilities to speak of, just the water and the quiet. Families with very young kids might find it a bit too "just a walk", but older children who enjoy spotting birds or exploring moorland will get something from it.

Stay at Freedom Fields Glamping five miles away and you've got a proper Lowlands base. The loch works well as a morning walk before heading to busier attractions, or an evening one when the light's soft. Go when the weather's settled - it's exposed up there, and a stiff wind can make standing about rather less appealing.