Long Loch

Long Loch sits in a sprawl of moorland north of Thurso, and it's the kind of place that rewards a bit of effort to find. The water stretches long and narrow - true to its name - with rough Highland hills rising around it, and on a clear day the light hitting the loch is genuinely striking. There's not much in the way of facilities or marked trails, which is rather the point. This is proper wild water, good for a walk along the shore if you fancy stretching your legs, or simply standing still and absorbing the silence.

Walkers and landscape photographers will get the most from it. Families with young kids might find it a bit too open and windswept, and there's not really a focal point to keep small ones entertained for long. You'll want to allow an hour or so if you're making a deliberate trip, though honestly many people combine it with exploring the moorland around Thurso rather than treating it as a destination in its own right.

The loch is free to visit and accessible year-round, though conditions can be bleak in winter. If you're based at Little Croft Highlands - the nearby campsite about 4 miles away - it makes a decent morning excursion before heading elsewhere. Don't expect shops or refreshments nearby; bring what you need. It's best visited on days when the weather cooperates, as endless grey cloud and wind can make it feel rather desolate rather than atmospheric.