Ruidhebeg

Water so still you can see the Trossachs reflected in it like a photograph. Ruidhebeg is a proper Highland loch tucked into Perthshire, just a few miles from Lochearnhead, and it's the sort of place that rewards a detour if you're hiking or driving through the area. The loch itself is small - you won't spend hours here - but the setting is excellent. High hills surround it, and there's something about the quiet of it that makes you actually stop walking and look around instead of checking your phone.

If you're based at Balquhidder Braes Holiday Park just two miles away, this is an easy morning out. Even Loch Earn Leisure Park, further down the road, makes it accessible. The walk down to the water is gentle enough for families, though you'll want proper boots - the path gets muddy after rain. An hour is realistic if you're just looking at the view and taking photographs. Longer if you're keen on waterside walking or sketching.

Historically, this corner of Perthshire was serious Rob Roy MacGregor country, though Ruidhebeg itself is quieter than the better-known lochs nearby. It's worth knowing that admission and facilities aren't clearly marked, so go prepared. No cafés, no loos. What you get instead is a genuine bit of the Highlands without the tour buses - which, depending on your mood, might be exactly what you came for.