Lochend Beach

The beach at Lochend feels more like a secret locals know than a tourist trap. It's a modest pebble and shingle strip along the water's edge, popular with folk from Inverness who want to escape the town bustle without driving far. You get views across the loch itself - the water can be surprisingly blue on a decent day, though Scotland being Scotland, you're just as likely to catch it pewter-grey and moody.

It's the kind of place where walkers kill an hour or so, families let the kids burn energy, and photographers hunt for light across the water. Don't expect manicured facilities or crowds - that's partly the appeal. The walk from the car park is straightforward, and the shingle won't slow you down.

If you're based at Go Glamping at Loch Ness or Bunchrew Caravan Park, Lochend works as a low-key addition to your day rather than a headline draw. Come for the walk, the air, the chance to actually stand on the shore rather than just peer at the loch from a visitor centre. It's free, obviously - it's a beach - and you can spend as little or as long as you fancy. Best visited when the weather's playing ball, though even a dreich afternoon has its own charm. The nearest facilities are back in Inverness, so don't expect a café right there. This is about the loch itself and a bit of quiet time.