Lochan na Curra

The water here is properly still on a calm day, reflecting the surrounding hills like a dark mirror. Lochan na Curra sits in the Highland landscape between Inverness and the wider Loch Ness area, a small loch that doesn't get crowded the way its famous neighbour does. You're looking at a peaceful spot where the hills rise around you, and if you're lucky with the light, the reflections can be stunning.

It's the kind of place walkers stumble upon rather than plan for specifically. The loch itself is quiet and shallow in parts, fringed with moorland that changes colour through the seasons. There's no visitor infrastructure here - no café, no car park with facilities - which means it stays genuinely tranquil. Bring proper boots if you're exploring the edges; the ground can be boggy depending on recent weather.

Who'd get the most from it? Anyone after a genuine Highland experience rather than a tourist tick-box. Photographers hunting moody water reflections will find it worthwhile. Walkers based at nearby Go Glamping at Loch Ness could easily incorporate this into a morning walk, though it's not a destination on its own for most visitors.

Allow maybe 30-45 minutes unless you're doing a longer hillside circuit. It's free to visit, obviously. The drive from Inverness is quick enough, but don't expect facilities or much company. That's precisely the appeal.