Hogwarts Express and the Scenic Highlands Day Tour from Inverness
Description
Enjoy a full-day of stunning scenery and fresh Highland air, as we travel all the way around Loch Ness and along the idyllic West Coast. Our journey reveals ancient ruins, a poignant war memorial, beautiful beaches and gorgeous Scottish wilderness – with untamed mountains never far from sight. Embark on the the Jacobite Steam Train for a magical 2-hour ride along beautiful coastal scenery and over the iconic Glenfinnan Viaduct. Made famous by the Harry Potter films, and voted one of the world’s most scenic railways, this is a trip you’ll never forget!
Tour Options
Itinerary
We depart Inverness and begin our journey along the world-famous Loch Ness, stopping for photos above the ruins of Urquhart Castle.
We continue west, and visit the Commando Memorial which overlooks the Nevis Range; home to the UK’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis.
Now is your chance to board the Jacobite Steam Train in Fort William, one of the most spectacular railway journeys in the world. The train crosses the Glenfinnan Viaduct where a monument to Bonnie Prince Charlie’s campaign now stands. The train ride is approximately 2.5 hrs and will take you to Mallaig where your guide will meet you.
Enjoy your lunch stop in the fishing village of Mallaig. We would suggest sampling some of the local seafood!
The beautiful scenery continues into the evening with a stop in Fort Augustus to see the Caledonian Canal and Loch Ness up close.
Enjoy some unspoiled views on the less travelled road on the south side of Loch Ness.
Before we head back to Inverness, we visit Dores Beach on the banks of Loch Ness.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Please note that the Jacobite Steam Train service may be subject to alterations and cancellations at short notice, outwith our control
- It is recommended to book transport to the departure point in advance. Please also allow extra time to get to the departure point for check-in. We advise you arrive at least 15 minutes before the tour departure to allow time to check-in for the tour. Unfortunately, we are unable to hold the bus or refund for any late arrivals.
- Return times are approximate and subject to road conditions and weather. Please ensure you allocate sufficient time for any onward travel plans, allowing at least 3 hours after the scheduled return time for connections or activities.
- From 1st April 2025 the 7:30 am tour will return at 7:30 pm.
- It is not possible to upgrade your Standard steam train ticket to a First Class ticket
- Children under 5 years old, including infants who do not require a seat, are not permitted to travel. We are unable to accommodate any child under the age of 5.
- If downloading an audio guide, remember to bring your headset.
- The tour may operate with our sister company, HAGGiS Adventures.
- The order of the itinerary route is subject to change.
Reviews(1,840)
We loved our tour! Torquil was amazing as a tour guide. I was very impressed with how he was able to drive and give us info at the dame time. The roads were incredibly difficult to drive and he always made is feel safe. We had plenty of nice stops and photo opportunities. The train was also extremely fun! There’s also an audio guide with the same information in case you missed anything they provide for all of their spots!
Torquil was excellent. He was entertaining and kept everyone on time.
Great scenery and a fun experience on the steam train
We took the tour on 2nd July, 2026; our guide was Iain, he is a very experienced and knows a lot of the Scotland, in my opinion as a historian, he is a very kind patient gentleman
Iain was an excellent guide, the trip was well worth it, spectacular views and experiences all day. Both kids had a great time as did we!
Karen was very friendly and informative guide. She was also a skilled driver and got us to all our destinations safely. She gave us all the information we needed to know, and told us many interesting pieces of information along the way. Special thanks to Karen for filling in at the last minute! If we book a Scottish tour again, we would love to see Karen again.
Hello, thank you for your lovely 5 star review. Delighted that you enjoyed your time on tour with Karen and that you felt safely transported and enjoyed hearing her stories and information along the way too. We would love to welcome you on tour again and will be sure to pass your thanks along to Karen for stepping in too. Kind regads, Louise
Excellent experience .The Bus driver and tourist guide was fantastic!
Hello, thank you for your review, we are so glad it was a wonderful day out and you enjoyed your time with your driver guide. Kind regards, Louise
A bit uncertain start waiting for the bus to show up, luckily Karen stepped in on her day off so we got our trip. A wonderful tour despite some on/off again rain. Karen is an amazing guide and I'd gladly do another tour
Hello, thank you for taking the time to leave a review and for your understanding at the beginning of the tour. We are so glad for Karen stepping in too and that you had such a wonderful tour even through the rain :) We would love to welcome you again on tour. Kind regards, Louise
We had a wonderful day and our host was fantastic! She shared a lot of information on the area as we drove and had a wonderful attitude all day.
Hello, thank you for taking the time to leave a review and we are delighted that you had a wonderful day on tour. So glad that you enjoyed your guides good company and knowledge throughout. Kind regards, Louise
Karen was terrific. Fun and knowledgeable.
Hello, thank you for your review, we are so pleased you enjoyed the tour and seeing the West Highlands with Karen. so glad you enjoyed her company. Kind regards, Louise
