Comprising 9 locks at the southern end of the Caledonian Canal, Neptune’s Staircase is a dramatic sight. The locks are now operated by hydraulics but it still takes vessels (mainly leisure boats) an hour or more to pass through. The canal, which runs along the Great Glen, from Fort William to Inverness was fully completed in 1847; the staircase is its most impressive engineering feature. From the towpath there are also excellent views of Ben Nevis.