Loch Achadh na Doimhne

The water here is seriously dark. Loch Achadh na Doimhne sits quietly in the Highlands near Drumnadrochit, and the name itself - meaning "loch of the deep hollow" - tells you what you're getting into. This isn't a tourist hotspot. It's a proper Highland loch with steep sides, deep water, and the kind of moody atmosphere that makes you understand why these places feature in old stories.

You can walk the shoreline if you're up for it, though the terrain is rough enough to keep it interesting. The loch is best for photographers and walkers who don't need facilities or crowds - there's no cafe, no visitor centre, no benches. What you get is solitude and water that reflects the sky in that particular grey-green way Scottish lochs do when the light's flat.

Don't expect to spend hours here unless you're a serious rambler or you've got your camera with you. An hour's walk around parts of it is realistic for most people. It works well as a detour if you're staying at one of the glamping spots nearby - Loch Ness Glamping is just 1.4 miles away, and Highland Premier Glamping Pods sits at 4.7 miles. Both are far nicer bases than a standard hotel, and having a proper bed to return to makes the wilder edges of the Highlands feel less demanding.

Come when the weather's settled enough to see across the water. Mist just makes it atmospheric for about ten minutes, then frustrating.