Lochan an Eoin Ruadha

There's a small loch hidden in the Highland hills that most tourists racing between Inverness and Loch Ness never clock. Lochan an Eoin Ruadha sits quiet and reflective, the sort of place where you can actually hear yourself think - rare enough in the Highlands these days.

It's genuinely tiny, which is part of its appeal. You're not fighting crowds or looking for a car park that doesn't exist. The water sits dark and still most days, ringed by moorland that shifts colour depending on the season. In spring it's all new growth; by autumn the heather takes over and turns the whole hillside purple-brown. The walk to reach it isn't arduous, but it's proper Highland terrain - boggy in places, exposed to the wind - so come prepared.

This works best for walkers who actually want solitude rather than an Instagram moment. Families with young kids might find it a bit bleak and exposed unless they're already comfortable on rough ground. Photography types will find the light lovely, especially in late afternoon when the water starts reflecting properly.

Allow two to three hours if you're making a proper morning of it. There's no facilities, so bring what you need. The nearest town is Inverness, about 20 minutes away, which gives you access to shops and proper coffee before you head out.

If you're staying at Go Glamping at Loch Ness nearby, this makes a cracking alternative to the main loch - quieter, smaller, and genuinely worth the detour if the weather's on your side.