Start/Finish of Great Glen way, Inverness

The Great Glen Way starts right here in Inverness, at the water's edge where the Caledonian Canal meets the River Ness. It's the obvious jumping-off point if you're planning the full 73-mile walk to Fort William, but even if you're not, the starting stretch is worth an hour of your time.

The trailhead itself is easy to find and completely free. You get proper Highland scenery from the off - water on one side, woodland on the other, and the kind of light that makes you understand why people move to Scotland and never leave. The first few miles to Dochgarroch Lock are straightforward walking, flat enough for families with older kids, though younger ones might find the initial section a bit dull if they're not committed hikers.

Walkers will get the most from this. It's not a nature reserve with visitor facilities or interpretation boards - it's the genuine article, a working route that's been connecting communities across the Highlands for centuries. You'll see the canal locks in action, spot herons if you're quiet, and get a real sense of what the full Great Glen Way demands of you without committing to three days of walking.

If you're staying at one of the nearby parks - Ardtower or Go Glamping at Loch Ness are both excellent bases - this makes a natural morning excursion before heading elsewhere. Allow two to three hours for a gentle out-and-back walk. Spring and autumn are best; summer gets busy with serious trekkers, and winter can be muddy.