Lochan Chaorunn

The water here is perfectly still on a calm day - so still you'd swear it's a mirror. Lochan Chaorunn sits just outside Tarbert in Argyll, a small freshwater loch that doesn't demand much of your time but rewards a short visit with genuine beauty. It's a straightforward spot: a modest stretch of water surrounded by hills and conifers, the kind of place locals know and tourists often miss.

What you actually do is walk round it. The path isn't demanding, maybe a couple of miles depending which way you fancy going, and it's accessible enough for families without making it a proper expedition. On a decent day the reflections are outstanding - that's why people bother with a camera here. In winter it can feel properly remote; summer brings midges, so time your visit with that in mind.

This works best if you're staying at Port Ban Holiday Park nearby or heading through Argyll on a broader trip. It's not worth a huge detour on its own, but it slots nicely into a morning before doing something else in the area. Thirty minutes to an hour if you're just pottering about; longer if you've brought a flask and want to sit for a bit. Walkers will appreciate it, photographers will definitely appreciate it, and kids will be fine if they're the type who like a gentle ramble. It won't captivate anyone for hours, but it's a proper respite from driving.