Lochan Ballach

The water at Lochan Ballach sits perfectly still on most days, reflecting the surrounding hills like dark glass. It's a small loch - nothing dramatic, nothing that'll make you gasp - but that's rather the point. You get here via a straightforward walk from the Ullapool area, and once you're there, you're genuinely away from things.

The main appeal is the walk itself rather than any single feature at the loch. The landscape is typical Highland - moorland, scattered conifers, that particular shade of grey-green that only happens in the far north. On a clear day you can pick out the shape of the surrounding hills. On a misty day, which is most days, it feels properly remote despite being fairly accessible.

Walkers will find this worthwhile, particularly those after a moderate half-day outing rather than a full expedition. The loch itself isn't deep or particularly special for fishing, so don't come expecting that. Families with reasonably energetic kids will manage it fine - there's nothing technical about it, just solid moorland walking. Allow two to three hours return depending on your pace and how long you linger.

It fits well into a wider Highland walking itinerary around Ullapool. If you're based at Port A Bhaigh Campsite, you're well positioned to tackle this as a morning walk before moving on to coastal exploration or the peaks further north. Best visited in the drier months - summer or early autumn - when the ground isn't waterlogged.