Lochan Sgrathach

A small loch tucked into the moorland near Tarbert, Lochan Sgrathach is the sort of place you'll stumble upon rather than plan for. There's no visitor centre, no café, no crowds - just water, hills, and whatever weather the West Highlands decide to throw at you that day.

The walk in takes about twenty minutes from the nearest road, crossing rough moorland with views opening up as you approach. The loch itself is quiet and remote, the kind of spot where you might see a golden eagle if you're patient, or more likely just enjoy the absolute silence. It's a proper mountain loch - dark water, steep banks, no frills.

This is genuinely worth the detour if you're a keen walker or landscape photographer. Day-trippers expecting facilities will be disappointed. Families might find the exposed approach a bit much unless you've got kids who like scrambling over rough ground. Allow a good hour round trip, longer if you want to sit and soak it in.

Lochan Sgrathach works best as part of a wider Argyll adventure. Tarbert itself is only a few miles south, and staying at Tarbert Holiday Park or The Gather puts you within easy reach. You could pair this walk with exploring Kintyre's more accessible lochs or coastal walks, rather than making it your sole objective. It's the sort of place that reminds you why the Scottish Highlands still feel wild and untamed.