Reelig Glen

The moment you step into Reelig Glen, you're walking through a cathedral of ancient Scots pine - towering giants that have stood here for centuries. It's a proper woodland reserve just outside Beauly, the kind of place that feels genuinely wild despite being accessible by foot from town.

You're here for the trees, mainly. The walk traces a burn through dense forest, with the water running alongside you the whole way. The glen opens up gradually, revealing bigger views and rockier terrain as you venture deeper. There's something meditative about it - the sound of water, the smell of pine sap, the way the light filters through the canopy.

It won't keep you occupied for hours, to be honest. Most people spend ninety minutes to two hours here, depending on how far they push along the trail. Families with young kids might find the walk a bit muddy in places, especially after rain, though nothing technically difficult. Hill walkers and photography types get the most from it - the light is best in late afternoon when those old trees really stand out against the sky.

Free to visit, no facilities to speak of, so bring what you need. It makes a cracking half-day outing alongside Beauly itself, or as a morning walk before heading to one of the nearby parks like Beauly Holiday Park or Bunchrew Caravan Park. Don't expect dramatic vistas - this is quiet woodland walking at its best.