Lochan Buidhe

This small loch sits quietly in the Stirling area, a proper gem if you're after something low-key rather than a tourist circuit. The water's a decent colour - golden-brown mostly, depending on light - and it's the kind of place where you can actually hear yourself think. Lochearnhead is the nearest settlement, just a few miles away, which makes it accessible without feeling overrun.

The loch itself is best explored on foot. There's a decent walk around parts of it, and the surrounding hills give you something to look at rather than a flat horizon. It's not dramatic in the way Loch Lomond is, but that's rather the point. Families with young kids might get restless if they're expecting boat rides or facilities, but walkers will find it a solid addition to a day out exploring the Lowlands. Allow an hour or two depending on how you fancy stretching your legs.

If you're basing yourself at Balquhidder Braes Holiday Park nearby, this is worth the short drive as a quieter afternoon break. The park itself is highly rated, and Lochan Buidhe gives you a genuine escape without the three-hour detours some lochs demand. No crowds, no entrance fees that I'm aware of, and the kind of place locals probably prefer you didn't know about. Worth visiting? Yes, especially if you're already in the area.