Pronie Loch

The water at Pronie Loch sits perfectly still on a decent day, reflecting the Aberdeenshire hills like dark glass. It's a small loch - nothing vast, nothing that'll take your breath away from distance - but that's rather the appeal. You get proper tranquility here without the crowds that come with the bigger Highland lochs.

What you're doing is straightforward: walking the shoreline, maybe finding a spot to sit with a thermos, watching for wildlife. There's decent birdwatching if you're patient, and the surrounding moorland has that wild, open feel that makes you understand why people move to Aberdeenshire and stay. The walk is gentle enough for families with younger kids, though they might find it a bit quiet after an hour or so - it's not the kind of place with a cafe or playground at the far end.

It's free to visit and you can rock up whenever suits. The light is best in early morning or late afternoon when the water goes copper-coloured and the glare drops. Winter's fine too if you don't mind the cold.

Aboyne sits just down the road, which is handy for supplies. Both Tarland Camping and the Cairngorms Glamping site are within easy striking distance if you're basing yourself nearby. Pronie works as a quiet morning walk before heading to busier attractions - it's the sort of place that stays with you more than the postcard-famous spots do.