Romach Reservoir

The water at Romach sits dark and still, ringed by moorland that rolls away towards the Cairngorms. It's a proper working reservoir - nothing fancy, no visitor centre or café - but that's precisely why it's worth the drive from Forres if you're after something quiet.

You can walk the perimeter, which takes the better part of two hours depending on your pace and how often you stop to watch for red grouse or mountain hares. The path is straightforward, mostly flat ground, though the wind can be bracing even on mild days. It's the kind of place where you feel genuinely away from things, not because it's dramatically scenic but because hardly anyone else is there.

Families with older kids will find it decent enough - the walk won't frustrate them and there's space to let off steam at either end. Those after serious hill walking should push on towards the higher ground beyond, where the views genuinely open up. Birdwatchers and photographers come here for the light and the solitude.

If you're camping at ACE Adventures just down the road, or glamping at The Loft, Romach makes a logical half-day excursion. Pack a flask and give yourself time to sit by the water without rushing. There's no charge, no formality - just bring boots that don't mind bog and an expectation that Scottish weather does what it pleases. Best visited when the light's low, either early morning or late afternoon.