Loch Sloy

The dam at Loch Sloy sits tucked into the hills above Arrochar, and it's a proper walk to get there - roughly 6 miles from the village if you're doing the round trip. What you find is a reservoir rather than a natural loch, but that doesn't make it any less striking. The concrete dam curves across the water with the mountains climbing steeply on either side, and on a clear day the view back towards Ben Vorlich and the surrounding peaks is genuinely worth the effort.

This is a hike rather than a casual stroll. You're gaining elevation steadily, and the path winds through moorland and forestry before opening out to the loch itself. Most walkers allow between two and three hours for the full round trip, depending on fitness and how long you linger at the top. It's free to visit - you're just walking across public land.

Walkers will get the most from this one. Kids might flag before reaching the dam, and it's not the sort of place you pop to for a quick visit. But if you're staying at Loch Lomond Holiday Park or Beinglas Campsite nearby, and you want something more demanding than a gentle lakeside wander, Loch Sloy delivers. The sense of remoteness is real - you genuinely feel away from things up there. Go early if the weather's decent; it clears fast when mist rolls in, and the path becomes less forgiving.