Loch Kinardochy

The loch sits quietly in the hills above Pitlochry, the sort of place you'd miss if you weren't looking for it. It's a modest water - nothing like the dramatic sweep of Loch Tay further south - but that's rather the point. You get peace here instead of crowds, and on a clear day the reflection of the surrounding hills off the still surface is proper lovely.

There's a decent walk around the shoreline if you've got the legs for it, though the terrain can be boggy after rain. Most people allow an hour to an hour and a half depending on how far they venture. The water itself is cold enough that only the committed swim, but locals do, and the banks are good for a sit-down with a flask. Bring binoculars if you're into birdlife - you'll spot grebes and the occasional osprey if luck's on your side.

It works well as a half-day stop between the holiday parks clustered nearby. Glengoulandie and Parkdean Resorts Tummel Valley are both within spitting distance, so if you're staying at either, this makes a gentle break from site activities without requiring a long drive. It's the sort of loch that suits walkers and people who actually want to think rather than tick boxes. Families with restless children might find it a bit quiet, but if yours enjoy splashing about on banks and spotting wildlife, they'll have a fine time. Go early morning for the best light and the fewest other people.