Lochan Maol Moraig

The water here is proper still, reflecting the hills with an almost unsettling clarity. Lochan Maol Moraig sits on the Kintyre peninsula near Tarbert, a small loch that most tourists miss entirely while chasing bigger names. You'll find it tucked into moorland - no facilities, no signs, just a quiet stretch of water and the kind of silence that makes you realise why people come to Argyll in the first place.

It's a walker's spot, really. The approach isn't dramatic, but that's rather the point. You're looking at maybe 20 minutes from the nearest parking to actually reach the water, depending on which direction you come from. Families with older kids who can manage rough ground will find it worthwhile; younger ones might get restless before you've even arrived. Bring binoculars if you're interested in wildlife - you'll see red-throated divers and grebes if you're patient.

Going in winter or early spring catches it at its best. Summer brings the midges and the occasional careless tourist, which rather spoils the atmosphere. The loch itself doesn't demand hours - maybe an hour if you're exploring the shoreline properly, longer if you're just sitting about sketching or photographing.

Based at Port Ban Holiday Park, you're well-positioned for a quiet morning here before moving on to Tarbert itself. It works nicely as a pre-breakfast walk or an afternoon interlude between beach time and whatever else Kintyre's got cooking that day. Bring proper footwear and don't expect company.