Urrall Loch

A small dark water surrounded by moorland and conifer plantations - that's Urrall Loch. It's the sort of place you'd stumble upon while exploring the back roads near Newton Stewart rather than drive an hour out of your way for, but if you're staying at Barnharrow Holiday Pods or Three Lochs Holiday Park, it's worth a half-hour detour.

The loch itself is modest. There's no visitor centre, no café, no facilities to speak of. What you get is a quiet spot for a walk, decent views across the water to the surrounding hills, and a genuine sense of being off the beaten track. Birdwatchers occasionally turn up here - you'll see herons and the occasional osprey in summer. The fishing is decent too if you're into that.

Families with young children might find it a bit underwhelming unless they're keen on water spotting or skimming stones. The walk around the loch takes roughly 45 minutes at a leisurely pace. There's no defined path in places, so proper footwear matters. It's free to visit, naturally.

The real value is as part of a wider Dumfries & Galloway loop. Head here on a quiet afternoon, maybe combine it with a visit to Clatteringshaws Loch further south, and you've got a proper Scottish lowland day. Solitude is the main draw. If you're after dramatic scenery or a proper tourist experience, Loch Doon or the water at Kirroughtree Forest Park will serve you better.