Loch Ettrick

Water so still it mirrors the surrounding hills - that's Loch Ettrick on a calm day, and it's properly worth the drive out to the Dumfries & Galloway area. This is a small, quiet loch that doesn't pull in the crowds like Loch Lomond does, which is precisely why it's worth visiting.

You're looking at a modest body of water ideal for a bracing walk around the shoreline or a spot of fishing if that's your thing. The landscape is rolling moorland rather than dramatic peaks, so don't expect Ben Nevis-style scenery - but that softness is part of the charm. Nearest base is Steading, and from there it's a straightforward run to the water.

Walkers will get the most from it. Bring decent boots and expect to be out for a couple of hours; the path isn't complicated but the ground can be boggy. Photography types tend to hang about longer, waiting for light to hit the water right. Kids under eight might find it a bit samey unless they're properly into spotting birds or throwing stones.

The beauty of basing yourself at one of the nearby parks - Burnside of Ae Glamping or Red Squirrel Campsite are both within five miles - is that Loch Ettrick becomes a morning option rather than an all-day commitment. Pair it with a walk through the forests at Ae Forest or a potter round Dumfries itself. Free to visit, no facilities on site, so pack a flask. Best in late spring or early autumn when the midges aren't murderous.