Lochan na Creige Ruaidhe

The walk to Lochan na Creige Ruaidhe rewards you with a small Highland loch that sits properly remote, despite being less than an hour from Crieff. You're looking at a modest but genuine mountain pool - the kind of spot where you'll likely have the place to yourself on an ordinary Tuesday. The surrounding hills give it real character, and on a clear day the reflections are striking enough to justify the trek.

It's a destination for serious walkers rather than casual visitors. The approach isn't marked particularly well, and you'll need decent boots and a map or GPS. Allow three to four hours round trip from the nearest car park, depending on your fitness and how long you dawdle by the water. There's nothing there - no facilities, no shelter, no benches - so come prepared with food and water. The payoff is solitude and decent views across the water to the slopes beyond.

Historically this corner of Perthshire is all about lochs and glens, and Lochan na Creige Ruaidhe feels like a proper secret in comparison to the busier spots nearby. If you're based at Loch Earn Leisure Park or Loch Tay Highland Lodges, this makes a solid day out for anyone who actually enjoys walking rather than just the idea of it. Fair warning though - it's remote enough that you should tell someone where you're headed. The loch itself is free, naturally, and you can visit whenever you like. Winter's a slog; spring through autumn is sensible.