Red Loch

The water at Red Loch sits so still on a calm day that you'd swear it's been photoshopped. This shallow freshwater lake near Mintlaw in Aberdeenshire is one of those places that doesn't shout about itself, which is precisely why it's worth the detour.

It's a proper spot for a quiet walk rather than a major attraction. The loch itself is small - you can pace out most of the shoreline in half an hour - but that's rather the point. Bring binoculars if you're into birdwatching; the water attracts wildfowl year-round, and in autumn and winter the variety can be excellent. On a clear day the light does something special here, turning the water into burnished bronze at dusk.

The surrounding landscape is flat and open, typical of this corner of Aberdeenshire. There's no visitor centre, no café, no facilities to speak of - just the loch, the sky, and occasionally a handful of other people. It's free to visit and you can spend as long as you like, though an hour is usually enough unless you're genuinely keen on birds or photography.

Families with young children might find it a bit quiet and lacking entertainment value. But walkers and anyone after a meditative break will find it calming. If you're staying at Down On The Farm holiday park just a few miles away, it makes for a gentle morning or evening outing - the sort of place you visit without fanfare but remember afterwards for its stillness.