Lochan Tutach

A small mountain loch tucked into the Cairngorms foothills, Lochan Tutach sits about four miles south of Forres and rewards walkers willing to put in a bit of legwork. The loch itself is modest - maybe 200 metres across - but the setting is properly wild, with heather moorland rolling away in every direction and the Highland air hitting you properly when you crest the final ridge.

It's not a five-minute stop. Most people allow 90 minutes to two hours for the walk in, an hour by the water, and the walk back. The path is well-trodden but unrelenting uphill on the way out, so it's worth knowing that before you drag teenagers along. That said, if you're the sort of family that actually walks together, the sense of achievement hitting the top is real.

History buffs and fell-walkers will get the most from this. The Cairngorms are full of stories - old droving routes, clan territories, whisky bothies - and Lochan Tutach sits in the middle of it all. It's free, obviously. There's no café or facilities, so bring water and something to eat.

If you're staying at ACE Adventures down in Forres, this works as a proper half-day trip. The location lets you combine it with lower-level walks around the Findhorn Valley. The loch isn't Instagram-friendly in the way Ben Loyal is further north, but that's precisely why it's worth going. You'll have the place to yourself most days.