Bog Loch

The water at Bog Loch sits dark and still, ringed by heather and birch woodland that feels properly remote despite being just outside Banchory. It's the sort of loch that rewards a quiet morning - the kind of place where you'll actually hear yourself think instead of battling crowds at better-known Scottish spots.

There's no visitor centre or facilities to speak of, which is either a selling point or a drawback depending on how you look at it. You come here to walk, to watch for wildlife, or simply to sit with a flask and stare at the water. The loch itself is manageable for a circuit walk, taking the best part of an hour if you're not rushing. The paths can be boggy - hence the name - so proper boots matter more than they might elsewhere.

Families with young kids might find it a bit dull unless they're genuinely keen on nature spotting. But for walkers and birdwatchers, it's excellent. The surrounding woodland holds red squirrels and, if you're lucky, golden eagles working the higher ground beyond.

Staying at one of the nearby caravan parks - Feughside or Banchory Lodge are closest - makes this an easy add-on to a wider Aberdeenshire holiday rather than a destination in itself. It pairs nicely with Aboyne Loch if you're doing a loch-hopping morning. No admission charge, no opening hours to worry about. Go early, take binoculars, and don't expect much beyond what you see. That's exactly the point.