loch nan Oighreagan

You'll find this modest loch tucked into the Highland landscape about three miles south of Inverness, a proper quiet spot if you're after a break from the Loch Ness crowds. Loch nan Oighreagan is small - it won't take your breath away like some of the bigger lochs do - but that's rather the point. It's the kind of place where you might spot a heron, hear nothing but wind through the heather, and remember why you came to the Highlands in the first place.

The loch itself is accessible for a walk around the shoreline, and it works nicely as a half-hour detour or a longer ramble depending on what you fancy. Fishermen use it, walkers pass through, and in autumn the reflections are genuinely worth stopping for. There's no visitor infrastructure to speak of - no café, no visitor centre, no admission fee. You simply turn up and wander about.

If you're basing yourself at one of the nearby parks - Loch Ness Shores is closest at just over three miles - this makes a peaceful morning or late afternoon walk. It's quieter than Loch Ness proper, which means fewer tour buses and fewer selfie sticks, but also less dramatic scenery. Families with young children might find it a bit too low-key after ten minutes, whereas walkers and birdwatchers will appreciate the tranquility. Spring and early summer are best, when the light stays late and you won't freeze while standing still.