Lochan nan Corp

The walk into Lochan nan Corp takes you through proper Highland scenery, even though you're technically still in the Lowlands. It's a small, dark loch tucked into moorland near Lochearnhead - the kind of place that rewards the effort of getting there without demanding hours of your time.

You're looking at maybe an hour's return walk from the nearest parking, following a path that winds through heather and rough grass. The water itself is peaty and deep, reflecting the hills around it rather dramatically on still days. It's not a destination for everyone - there's no cafe, no facilities, no crowds either. Walkers will find it genuinely worth the detour, and photographers usually come away pleased. Families with young kids might find the moorland walk a bit tedious unless they're keen types.

The real appeal is the solitude and the sense of being properly away from things. You're not paying to get in, and there's no particular time you need to visit, though spring and early autumn tend to give the best light and clearest paths. It's a short drive from Lochearnhead if you're staying at one of the caravan parks in the area - Balquhidder Braes and Callander Woods are both nearby and well-regarded bases. You could easily combine this with other walks in the Trossachs and Lomond hills without feeling like you've made a special trip. That said, if your idea of a day out is an easy circuit with views and a pub at the end, keep driving.