Pitcastle Lochs (East)

Two lochs sitting quietly in the hills above Pitlochry, East and West Pitcastle are the sort of places you stumble upon rather than plan for. The eastern loch is the more accessible of the pair, with a decent walk from the road that rewards you with proper Highland views - moorland rolling away in every direction, the water catching light when the sun bothers to show up.

It's a straightforward walk rather than a scramble, taking about forty minutes each way depending on your pace. The path can be boggy after rain, so proper boots are worth bringing. You won't find facilities or crowds here, which is precisely the point. This is peaceful rather than dramatic, the sort of place walkers come to clear their heads rather than tick off an Instagram checklist.

If you're based at one of the caravan parks around Pitlochry - Faskally Woods is closest at just over three miles - this makes an excellent half-day outing. Aberfeldy Caravan Park, four miles away, works well too if you're after somewhere with a bit more going on. The loch itself isn't suitable for swimming unless you're genuinely hardy, but it's lovely for standing about in the wind, watching the water, maybe spotting a golden eagle if you're lucky.

Worth doing if you've already explored Pitlochry and fancy getting away from the main tourist circuit. The walk is free, naturally, and can fit around whatever else you're doing in the valley.