Quick Details
Discover the magic of the Scottish Highlands on an unforgettable journey through stunning landscapes and iconic landmarks, where you’ll be transported to the world of Harry Potter and James Bond.
Explore the dramatic beauty of Glencoe, and marvel at the breathtaking Glenfinnan Viaduct, a must-see for film enthusiasts. Immerse yourself in the history of this picturesque area and enjoy the fresh Highland air and scenic vistas in Fort William, nestled at the foot of Ben Nevis. Unwind in the charming village of Pitlochry and experience the rich heritage and natural splendour of Scotland in one remarkable adventure.
Experience Scotland on our Glenfinnan Viaduct Tour from Edinburgh with The Hairy Coo!
Explore the scenery of the Scottish Highlands while visiting Glencoe, Fort William and the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct.
DEPARTURE
Check-In: 6:45 AM
Bus Departs 7:00 AM
Departure Point: we depart from outside Heritage of Scotland, 459-461 Lawnmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2NT. This is directly opposite the road from our original departure point by Deacon’s House Cafe.
(what3words, Google Maps)
Please note: From the 2nd of December 2024 onward, we will be boarding from the north side of St Andrew Square, outside Hotel Malmaison, 22 St Andrew Square, EH2 1AY (what3words, Google Maps). You can view a map and further details here.
Seats are unreserved so we recommend you arrive early if you have a preference of where you would like to sit.
The bus will leave at 7:00 AM prompt. We are unable to wait for guests who are late and no refunds will be issued in this instance.
TOUR RETURNS
Drop-Off: 7:00 PM
The tour concludes outside Heritage of Scotland, 459-461 Lawnmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2NT.
Please note that return times are approximate and may be impacted by road conditions and weather. We recommend leaving at least 2 hours between any onward travel or reservations in the evening, in the event of delays.
ABOUT YOUR GLENFINNAN, GLENCOE AND FORT WILLIAM TOUR
Embark on your journey toward Glenfinnan from the heart of Edinburgh city centre. We’ll pass by picturesque and iconic sights, including the Kelpies and the town of Callander, as we begin our journey northward into the breathtaking Scottish Highlands.
After crossing into the Scottish Highlands, we’ll pause for refreshments before continuing north. We move onward to Glencoe, a dramatic and renowned glen featured in films such as “James Bond’s Skyfall” and “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban”. This stunning location sets the perfect atmosphere for visiting the famous “Harry Potter Bridge” later in the tour. We’ll stop for photos and delve into Glencoe’s history, including the 1692 massacre of the MacDonald clan.
Departing scenic Glencoe, we follow the banks of Loch Linnhe to Fort William, a Highland town situated at the base of Ben Nevis, the tallest mountain in Britain. We’ll pause here to allow you to enjoy the fresh Highland air before we continue to the Glenfinnan Viaduct.
Driving west we make our way to the iconic Glenfinnan Viaduct, best known from its scenes in the Harry Potter film series and is beautifully set among mountains on the shores of Loch Shiel. This enchanting location is famous for the Jacobite Steam Train, which is often compared to the Hogwarts Express. Loch Shiel also plays the role of the “Black Lake”, used as the backdrop to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizarding in several of the films — look out for the “Giant Squid” stirring up trouble!
As we depart from Glenfinnan, our scenic journey back to Edinburgh begins. Our first stop is the Commando Memorial at Spean Bridge, where you can take in the stunning views of the Nevis Range. Our journey continues along the picturesque Loch Laggan and then ascends above the Grampian Mountains. As we travel through the western regions of the beautiful Cairngorms National Park, we’ll pause in the charming village of Pitlochry for refreshments. Take this opportunity to stretch your legs and grab a quick bite to eat before we make our way back to Edinburgh, arriving at approximately 7 PM.
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE PRICE?
- Experienced ‘Hairy Coo’ Driver Guide providing live commentary and storytelling throughout.
- Travel on one of our luxury, modern, air-conditioned coaches.
- Regular Comfort Breaks
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED?
- Food & drink
- No toilets onboard
- No Wi-Fi onboard
- Gratuities for your Driver Guide.
PLEASE NOTE
- This tour has been designed to show you as much of Scotland as we can fit into one day! Due to the distance driven a large portion of the tour is spent on the bus, taking in the views and scenery of Scotland.
GLENFINNAN TOUR FROM EDINBURGH ITINERARY
7:00am
Depart Edinburgh
♦ Callander/Balquhidder (seasonal)
◊ Glencoe
♦ Fort William
♦ Glenfinnan Viaduct
(view of steam train seasonal Apr – late Sep)
♦ Commando Memorial
Cairngorms National Park
♦ Pitlochry
Forth Bridge – Unesco World Heritage Site
Arrive back in Edinburgh
Approx. 7 PM
♦ Longer stop | ◊ Photo stop
BEFORE YOUR TOUR
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We recommend you bring warm and/or waterproof clothing, no matter what the forecast appears to be…Scotland’s weather is very unpredictable! And don’t forget your camera to capture all the lovely scenery and wildlife you’ll encounter on your tour, which you can later share with us online!
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Food is readily available at the majority of stops on tour, but you are absolutely more than welcome to bring snacks and a cold packed lunch on board. There are often alternatives suitable to most diets, but options may be limited.
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We must remind you that while picturesque and quaint, many of the suppliers in smaller towns across the Highlands do still prefer cash payments. This tour does not have any optional extras that require cash payments.
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We always aim to stop for a visit of our local, beloved Hairy Coos on our tours! However we cannot guarantee Highland cows, as we are not in control of their movements or placements. Please note that in the winter months (Mid November – March) some farmers decide to move the cows indoors or to other field for the winter so they are unavailable during this period.
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You are more than welcome to bring along a carry-on bag on the tour which can be packed with essentials for the day, but we would advise keeping this bag as light and small as possible to maximise your comfort onboard. If you’d like to bring along larger luggage, please get in touch to confirm availability.
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We do our best to catch the Jacobite Steam Train (also sometimes called the Harry Potter train) crossing the Viaduct on it’s outbound afternoon service. Please note that the afternoon service is ending on the 27th of September 2024, and that the train will not be seen on tours departing after the 27th of September.