Lochan Add

The water here sits so still it looks like glass, especially on a windless morning when the surrounding hills mirror themselves perfectly on the surface. Lochan Add is a modest freshwater loch near Lochgilphead - nothing dramatic, nothing that'll make you gasp - but that's rather the point. It's the sort of place you stumble upon while exploring mid-Argyll, not somewhere you'd plan a three-hour expedition around.

The loch itself is small enough to walk around in under an hour, which makes it ideal if you're staying at The Pod Over By or Lochgilphead Caravan Park and fancy a gentle stretch without committing to a proper hike. Birdwatchers get decent value here - you'll spot grebes and the occasional heron if you move quietly - and the surrounding woodland keeps things peaceful. The banks are accessible enough for families with younger kids, though watch your footing on damper sections.

It's free, naturally, and open year-round. Go on a quiet weekday if you can; weekends bring more foot traffic than such a small water body can really absorb without feeling a touch crowded. Spring's lovely here, when the banks come alive, but October and November have their own moody appeal.

Worth the detour from Lochgilphead? Only if you're already in the area exploring. Lochan Add isn't a reason to reroute your holiday, but as part of a broader Argyll circuit - mixing in larger lochs and proper walking - it slots in nicely as a gentle pit stop.