Lochan Ghlas Laoigh

The walk to Lochan Ghlas Laoigh rewards effort in a way that few lochs around Dunoon manage. You're looking at a proper mountain pool, small and wild, sitting high enough that the views back down towards the Cowal Peninsula justify the climb. It's not a five-minute stroll - this takes real legs and decent boots - but the isolation makes it worth every blister.

What you get is a remote Highland loch that feels genuinely untouched. No facilities, no crowds, no café at the water's edge. Just you, the water, and the silence. Walkers and hillwalkers will love it; families with young children should probably give it a miss unless you've got proper fell-walking experience. The scramble isn't technically difficult, but it's exposed in places and involves some steep sections that'll exhaust toddlers quickly.

Timing matters here. Early morning on a clear day transforms this from a slog into something genuinely special. Allow at least three hours for the round trip from wherever you park below, longer if you want to sit about and actually enjoy it. There's no charge - it's open access land - but you'll need to plan your route carefully as there's no formal path marked on most maps.

If you're based at one of the caravan parks near Dunoon - Glenfinart's closest at just over two miles - this makes a brilliant day out for serious walkers. Pair it with easier walks lower down in the Cowal Peninsula and you've got proper variety. Just don't expect this to be a casual family afternoon.