Waltersmuir Reservoir

The water here sits dark and still, ringed by pine and moorland that feels properly remote despite being only a few miles from Stirling. Waltersmuir Reservoir is the sort of place you'd stumble upon while driving through Perthshire rather than plan a special trip for, but that's rather the point - it's got none of the visitor infrastructure that can turn Scottish landscapes into theme parks.

It's a walker's spot, really. The reservoir itself isn't vast, but the surrounding terrain offers decent routes if you fancy stretching your legs away from the water's edge. The views are understated - rolling hills, conifer plantations, the occasional flash of movement in the heather. Bring binoculars if you're into that sort of thing. Kids will manage it if they're the type who like splashing in burns and spotting birds, but there's no playground or café, so don't expect to spend half a day here.

The real value is as a morning break or late-afternoon detour when you're based at somewhere like Craighead Howf, just four miles south. It's the kind of place to clear your head before heading back for tea. Free to visit, naturally, and the best light comes in early morning or late afternoon when the water catches what little Scottish sun you're likely to get. There's no official visitor centre or information board, so you're essentially just turning up and having a look about. Honest work.