I’ll never forget the drive up to Foyers – that winding single-track road from Inverness had me white-knuckling the steering wheel after a sudden downpour turned it into a slippery snake. We’d set off full of beans, playlist blasting some cracking indie tunes, dreaming of Nessie-spotting and Highland fresh air. But about halfway, the heavens opened, and splash – a massive pothole sent us skidding into a puddle the size of a small loch. No damage, thank goodness, just a good laugh and a reminder that Scotland’s roads keep you on your toes.

Pulling up to our 3-bed apartment in Foyers, I was buzzing with anticipation – would it live up to the pics? First impressions? Spot on. This charming first-floor retreat sits right near Loch Ness in the heart of the Highlands, surrounded by jaw-dropping countryside and a cheeky river bubbling nearby. Off-road parking was a godsend after that drive, and it’s so handy for popping to local shops. Perfect setup for me, my partner, and our mates – cosy, practical, and screaming “holiday vibes”.

We’d planned epic hikes from the off, lacing up boots the minute we unpacked. Day one was glorious – blue skies, crisp air – so we tackled the South Loch Ness Trail, a gentle meander along the water’s edge with views that make your jaw drop. Wildflowers nodding in the breeze, buzzards circling overhead, and not a soul in sight. I felt like a proper explorer, snapping pics and pretending I wasn’t knackered after five minutes uphill. Lunch was packed cheese rolls on a pebbly beach, toasting with flasks of tea to the misty mountains.

But oh, the British weather – it’s got a wicked sense of humour. Next morning, we eyed the Divach Falls trail, a short but steep jaunt through ancient woods to a roaring cascade. Grey clouds rolled in as we started, turning into a proper deluge halfway. Soaked to the skin, hoods flapping like mad, we pressed on giggling like kids. The falls were worth it – thunderous water tumbling 30 metres, rainbows in the spray. Back at the flat, dripping and defeated, we huddled with hot mugs of builder’s tea, plotting revenge.

The weather kept us dancing. One afternoon, horizontal rain scuppered a lochside stroll, so we pivoted to the quieter riverside path by the apartment – sheltered enough for a muddy tramp, spotting otters and herons. It forced us to slow down, chat properly, no distractions. I had a proper moment there, trudging through the drizzle, thinking how these unplanned detours make the best memories. No Insta-perfect hikes, just us, the mud, and that unbeatable Highland magic.

By week’s end, we’d clocked miles of trails, from easy waterside wanders to soggy woodland scrambles. The apartment was our rainy-day haven – drying socks on every radiator, sharing daft stories. Loch Ness delivered on the walks and the whims of the weather, leaving me reflective: sometimes the best adventures are the ones that go gloriously off-piste. Can’t wait to go back.