Lochan nan Deala

The walk to Lochan nan Deala takes you through proper Highland terrain - moorland and scattered birch that opens up to a small, still loch tucked away from the main routes. It's not a dramatic landscape, but there's something about the quietness of it that stays with you. The water reflects whatever sky you get that day, and on a clear morning the light does something rather special across the surface.

This is a walker's spot rather than a destination in itself. You're looking at a round trip of an hour or so depending on where you start from, and the paths are easy enough without being boring. It works well if you're based at Loch Ness Shores - the campsite is only a mile or so away - and you want to escape the crowds that pile into the main loch. Families with older kids will manage it fine; younger ones might find it a bit of a stretch if they're not keen walkers.

Timing matters here. Early morning is genuinely worth the effort - the loch feels completely yours, and there's a decent chance of spotting deer. Midweek in shoulder seasons beats weekends. The light in autumn is particularly good, though you'll want waterproof layers whatever the season.

It's the sort of place that appeals to people who actually enjoy walking in Scotland rather than ticking boxes. Not Instagram material, but the kind of spot you remember a year later when you're flicking through photos.