Dubh Lochan

A small dark loch tucked into the hills above Arrochar, Dubh Lochan is the sort of place you stumble upon rather than plan for. The water is peaty and still, reflecting the surrounding peaks on a calm day - genuinely atmospheric if you catch it right. It's a short walk from the road, maybe twenty minutes from the car park, making it accessible without being a proper hike.

This works best for walkers who don't mind a bit of rough ground and anyone after a bit of solitude. The views across to Ben Vorlich are solid, and the loch itself has that moody Highland character you either love or find a touch bleak. With kids, it depends on their age - under-tens might find the terrain frustrating, but older ones who can handle boggy paths will get something out of it.

It's free and there's no formal infrastructure, so bring what you need. Allow an hour if you're just going to look around; longer if you fancy exploring further up the glen. The weather matters here - midges in summer can be brutal, and mist rolls in fast, so timing matters.

Staying at Beinglas or Inverbeg Holiday Park puts you within spitting distance, and Dubh Lochan makes a good morning expedition before heading down to Loch Lomond proper. It's not a day out on its own, but it's well worth the detour if you're in the area.