Lochan a` Chaisteil

The walk to Lochan a' Chaisteil takes about forty minutes from Arrochar, climbing steadily through woodland before opening out onto moorland. You're rewarded with a proper mountain loch - small, dark, and ringed by high peaks that drop straight into the water. On a clear day the reflections are stunning. On a misty day, which is often, it's moody and dramatic instead.

This isn't a destination for lounging about. It's a walker's lake, the sort of place you reach, stand and stare for ten minutes, then turn back. The views across to Ben Vorlich and the surrounding hills are genuine showstoppers, and the isolation makes it feel worlds away from the busy A83 below.

If you're camped at Beinglas Campsite - just 1.4 miles away - it's an excellent morning or afternoon walk. The route is straightforward but involves genuine elevation, so it's better suited to families with older kids or regular walkers rather than toddlers. Allow two to three hours round trip depending on your pace and how long you linger.

It's free to visit, naturally. The beauty of this corner of Argyll is that some of the best views cost nothing. Spring and early summer are lovely - fewer midges and longer daylight. Avoid it in heavy rain unless you quite enjoy being thoroughly soaked and miserable. The path can get boggy and slippery.