Old Lochan

You'll find Old Lochan tucked into the landscape near Appin, a small loch that rewards the effort it takes to reach it. This isn't a dramatic pull-in-and-snap affair - it's the kind of place you stumble upon when you're actually walking the hills rather than ticking boxes. The water reflects the surrounding hills well enough, particularly on still days, and there's something genuinely peaceful about the lack of crowds.

Walkers get the most from Old Lochan. It sits on or near routes that serious hikers use, and the approach gives you proper views across Argyll's glens. Families with young kids might find it underwhelming - there's no visitor infrastructure, no easy access, nowhere to grab a coffee afterwards. You need to come prepared for a hike, not a casual stroll.

The loch itself is modest, honestly. Don't expect the drama of Loch Lomond or Loch Katrine. What you get instead is solitude and the kind of light that makes the hills look properly three-dimensional. Best visited outside school holidays when the glen feels actually quiet.

If you're staying at Creagan Station Tourers nearby, Old Lochan works well as part of a day's hillwalking rather than a destination in itself. Pair it with other routes through Argyll's peaks and you've got a proper day out. It's free, accessible to anyone with decent boots and a map, and costs nothing but your time.