Lochan na h-Eaglais

A small, dark loch surrounded by steep Highland slopes near Ballachulish, Lochan na h-Eaglais sits quietly off the beaten path. The name means "church loch" in Gaelic, though you won't find a church here now - just water, rock, and serious mountain scenery pressing in on all sides.

It's the kind of place walkers stumble upon rather than plan for, which is partly its charm. The loch itself isn't vast - you can take it in within half an hour - but the surrounding hills give it a brooding, intimate quality. On a grey day, which isn't uncommon in the Highlands, it feels properly moody. On a clear one, the reflections are excellent for photography if you're into that sort of thing.

Walking types will get the most from a visit. There's no obvious loop or marked path, but you can pick your way around the water's edge if you're comfortable with rough ground. Families with young children might find it a bit anticlimactic - there's nowhere to sit comfortably, nothing to do except look and walk - though older kids who like proper Highland scenery will appreciate it.

It's free, naturally, with no facilities whatsoever. Allow an hour if you're combining it with other walks in the area. The nearest proper amenity is Ballachulish a few miles south. If you're based at Invercoe Caravan Park, it's worth a morning wander before heading to Glen Coe or the main tourist spots. Don't expect crowds or infrastructure. That's rather the point.