Lochan Fearba

The water here is so clear you can see straight to the bottom, which catches you off guard when you're not expecting it. Lochan Fearba sits in the Highlands near Sutherland, a proper small loch that doesn't get rammed with tourists despite being genuinely worth a visit. It's the kind of place where you come for the walk more than the destination - the landscape around it matters as much as the water itself, all rolling moorland and distant mountains.

Walkers will get the most from this one. You're looking at a straightforward ramble that takes an hour or two depending on your pace and how many times you stop to stare at the view. The loch itself isn't huge, so you won't spend all day there, but it fits perfectly into a larger Highland walking loop. There's no facilities to speak of - bring what you need.

If you're based at Clachtoll Beach Campsite, just 3.7 miles away, this makes a solid morning's walk before heading back for lunch. The campsite gets excellent reviews and sits on actual coastal cliffs, so you're spoiled for scenery either way. The contrast between the loch and the sea views nearby keeps things interesting.

Best visited when the light's good - early summer or autumn give you the long evenings or clearer skies. Midges can be grim in high summer. It's free, obviously, and you can go whenever you want. Not dramatic or showy, but if you like your Highland walks quiet and uncrowded, this delivers.