Lochan na Lairige

You'll find this small loch tucked into the hills above Killin, reached by a decent walk through Glen Lochay. The water is dark and still, ringed by steep slopes - it's the kind of place where midges outnumber visitors in summer, so come prepared with repellent or choose a breezy day. The approach takes about forty minutes from the glen car park, gaining height steadily but nothing too brutal.

It's worth the trek if you're after solitude rather than drama. The loch itself isn't particularly large or showy - no dramatic peaks looming overhead, no waterfall thundering in - but there's something proper about the quiet up here. On a clear day you can sit by the water and hear almost nothing except wind and the occasional bird. Walkers heading for the higher routes in the area often pass through, so it's not completely empty, but you won't be jostling with crowds.

Families with younger kids might find the walk a bit much for the payoff - it's not the kind of destination that rewards a toddler's effort with a massive wow factor. Serious hillwalkers and photographers will get more from it, especially early morning when the light is soft and the midges are drowsy. Allow a solid half-day if you're walking from Killin.

If you're staying at Loch Tay Highland Lodges just down the way, this makes a sensible extension to a local walking day rather than a destination in itself. The wider Glen Lochay area has plenty of other routes, so stack it with those.