Lochan an Tairt

The walk to Lochan an Tairt takes you off the main Loch Ness tourist drag entirely. From Drumnadrochit, you head out into proper Highland terrain - moorland, forestry tracks, the works - and after about an hour on foot you'll find yourself at this modest but genuinely peaceful little loch. It's the sort of place that rewards the effort more than the destination itself justifies, if that makes sense.

What you get is solitude. A dark water surrounded by conifers and open hillside, with no car park, no café, no queue of tour coaches. The views back towards the main loch are decent but hardly dramatic. Kids under ten might struggle with the walk, and it's not particularly forgiving underfoot after rain.

Honestly, it works best as part of a longer Highland walk rather than a destination in itself. If you're based at one of the glamping spots nearby - Loch Ness Glamping or Highland Premier are both five minutes away by car - it makes a solid morning or afternoon outing to break up a park holiday. You'll need decent boots, a map or GPS, and realistic expectations about the weather. Summer's your best bet.

Worth doing if you're serious about exploring beyond the loch-side main event. Less worth the trip if you're after Instagram scenery or an easy family stroll. The payoff is peace and quiet, not postcards.