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- West Highlands, Glen Coe & The Jacobite Steam Train
1 Day
48 Hour Cancellation
Prepare for a day packed with some of Scotland’s most famous highlights on this tour from Glasgow! Take a walk by the shores of our most magical lochs, explore towns bursting with history and character, visit Glen Coe, and top it all off with a once-in-a-lifetime ride on the Jacobite Steam Train - the real Hogwarts Express from the Harry Potter films.
Tour Highlights
Jacobite Steam Train (Hogwarts Express)
The Jacobite Steam Train shot to worldwide fame as the Hogwarts Express in the Harry Potter films. The route between Fort William and Mallaig on the West Highland Line has been voted the most scenic rail journey in the world.
Rannoch Moor
The Rannoch Moor in the Scottish Highlands is a vast and rugged expanse of wilderness characterised by its sweeping moorland, lochs, and rocky landscapes. A true dive into Scotland's untamed natural beauty!
Glen Coe
This jaw-dropping landscape is the most atmospheric and evocative place in Scotland. Glen Coe translates as the ‘weeping glen’, and the name reflects the sad history of the area, as well as the many waterfalls which cascade from misty peaks.
Inveraray
Inveraray is a picturesque town situated on the western shore of Loch Fyne. Known for its stunning Georgian architecture, including the iconic Inveraray Castle, you can explore its many historic sites, enjoy scenic walks, and savour fresh seafood.
Mallaig
Mallaig is a charming wee place. Nestled on Scotland's northwest coast, this fishing village offers fresh seafood and local shops along its waterfront, while majestic mountains stand guard in the distance.
Inclusions
Passionate Local Guide
Live Commentary & Storytelling in English
Two-Hour Ride on the Jacobite Steam Train
Return Coach from Glasgow
Full Refund if Cancelled More than 48 Hours in Advance
What Other Explorers Say
Heather was professional, insightful and generally caring that the whole tour was taken care of. She made us feel very comfortable with her wit and sense of humor. She knew her job and did it well!
Thomas
13/09/2025Was a phenomenal day tour with Nicky! She was very knowledgeable in sharing lots of history info along our trip! Would definitely recommend and do again! Thanks for the great day tour Nicky!
Lauren
12/09/2025Scott was a fantastic guide, great personality and great stories. Surprised by how many people were on the tour because they are train enthusiasts vs Harry Potter fans. Keep in mind due to the distance this is primarily transport to and from the train and tickets for the train, there are not many stops vs the other highland tours.
Steve
09/09/2025Very enjoyable day, stunning scenery 🤩 Nicky was great, so many interesting stories and history shared. She made everyone welcome and gave clear instruction/information to make the day run smoothly. We would recommend this trip.
Judy
13/08/2025What a fabulous day with everything running smoothly and on time. The scenery is amazing, even in the rain and the train trip was everything hoped for - for both Harry Potter fans and train enthusiasts alike. Out driver/guide Heather was incredibly knowledgeable about HP filming locations and Scottish history along with recommendations on what to do at the different locations which we stopped at. Would highly recommend this tour - fantastic way to see the Highlands!
Anita
08/08/2025Our guide Heather was incredibly enthusiastic and gave a long day plenty of levity. Super honest and accommodating. Plenty of photos and memories to be had whether you are a Harry Potter fan or simply a casual traveller with some incredible scenery.
Kieran
06/08/2025Absolutely fantastic! Our tour guide Eireann was brilliant, so engaging when she told us about Scottish History it was so interesting! I am from Scotland and I don't really like Scottish history but this was great!!
Farley
21/07/2025We’d just arrived in Scotland the day before our West Highland tour, and since we didn’t rent a car, we figured this would be an excellent way to get an overview of the region. Plus we were still jetlagged, so the idea of being driven around by an expert and told the history of the region was very appealing. Our tour guide was Nikki and she was excellent--friendly, warm, professional, and a very careful driver. She had so many stories about the history of Scotland and th...
Leslie
21/07/2025Amazing trip ! Heather is a very passionate guide, full of stories, we appreciated all she told us. I liked her personal touch, she introduced us into her family memories. We recommand anytime your trip, Highlands is like a box of chocolate, you have to try it and you'll discover incredible places. I would do it again !!!
Carmen
09/07/2025Amazing views! We had a wonderful time. It was a long day, but there were enough comfort stops for food and toilets. The Jacobite train ride was fun. Nicky was an awesome tour guide!
Linda
14/06/2025Liz was very spunky and upbeat. She loves her job and it shows. The sites were beautiful and breathtaking. The only fault I could find was that the itinerary said we would spend 1.5 hrs in Mallaig but we only got 1 hour. So we only got to each lunch and then had to head back, with no time to shop or explore.
Liz
13/06/2025I recommend this trip for an easy way to see the highlands on a comfortable coach. Liz was a great host pointing out castles, bridges and landmarks. It is an all day trip with stops in quaint small towns. The scenery is BEAUTIFUL!
Rhonda
13/06/2025Scott was great. Provide a lot of context about the surrounding area through stories. Train ride through the Highlands was awesome. Full day agenda and he kept us on track.
Kenny
17/05/2025Covers a large area of the lochs in the highlands on the western side north of Glasgow, views are spectacular, guided by Nicky who provided us with lots of history, she was a great guide.
Barbara
10/05/2025Amazing experience. Nikky is very knowledgeable and engaging which made the tour pretty interesting and fantastic. Highly recommend it.
Johnson
10/05/2025Views, surprises and stories told and showed from our guide Scott were amazing. I wasn’t expecting this trip to be that good. It is definitely worth it.
Oscar
09/05/2025Absolutely loved the day! Heather was the best - interesting, knowledgeable and a great storyteller of Scotland’s history. Thank you.
Amanda
07/05/2025Eireann was amazing on the tour. She was helpful and guided very well. I would love to come back again to relive these breathtaking views .
Akriti
05/05/2025Eireann was great and fun! We enjoyed the lunch stop and seafood. The train was pretty. I recommend the magic hot chocolate.
Frances
05/05/2025Frequently Asked Questions
Your West Highland, Glen Coe & Jacobite Steam Train tour departs from Glasgow city centre. For departure details and pick-up location, visit our Departure Info page.
With plenty of comfort breaks and stops along the way, our Jacobite Steam Train tour from Glasgow is approximately 13 hours long*.
*Length of tour may vary depending on traffic and weather conditions.
Yes, the ticket is included in your tour.
All essential information about the Jacobite Steam Train on our tours can be found here.
For most of the journey, you’ll travel in a comfortable midi-coach. The only exception is the 2-hour Jacobite Steam Train ride in the morning. Your Highland Explorer guide will take you to Fort William station, making sure you board the train smoothly. When the train arrives in Mallaig, your guide will be there to meet you, and after time to have lunch, then you'll return to Glasgow by coach.
While our coaches don't offer onboard toilets, rest assured that our itineraries include regular comfort stops, allowing frequent access to restroom facilities.
Our guides are unable to assist with wheelchairs or provide physical assistance during boarding or disembarking from the coach. Passengers should be capable of boarding and disembarking independently using the access stairs or with the help of a traveling companion. Foldable wheelchairs can be stored in our onboard luggage storage during travel.
Please note that some stops on our tours may involve rough terrain or only be accessible by steps.
It's important to be aware that your accommodation may have limited accessibility for wheelchair users. More info can be found on our Accessibility page.
Yes! Our routes include stops where you can grab a snack or recharge with a drink. Occasionally, we pause at shops offering local souvenirs as well. For precise details about timing and stops, don't hesitate to inquire with your guide.
Our itinerary (in tab 2, 'Itinerary & Departure') provides a helpful outline of what to expect on the day. We refrain from providing additional details beyond what's outlined there, as factors like weather, traffic, and the preferences of our driver guides may lead to slight deviations. We also believe that part of the excitement comes from the unexpected surprises along the way! Rest assured, your journey through Scotland will be unlike any other.
If you need to cancel your tour, you will need to inform us in writing by sending an email to info@highlandexplorertours.com. You can find our cancellation and refunds policy in section 3 in our Terms and Conditions.
Feel free to visit our general Frequently Asked Questions page for answers to common queries, or reach out to us directly via our Contact Us page.
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- West Highlands, Glen Coe & The Jacobite Steam Train
Then, get excited for the highlight of our Jacobite Steam Train tour from Glasgow! You’ll embark the train in Fort William before winding your way along Scotland’s rugged west coast, crossing the legendary Glenfinnan Viaduct, known from the Harry Potter films. Disembark the train in Mallaig, with time to explore the town and find a local lunch spot. Mallaig is a well-known fishing port, so don’t miss the chance to try some fresh seafood!
After lunch, we continue along the scenic Appin coast, passing by the beautiful Kilchurn Castle, nestled on the shores of Loch Awe. Next, we make our way to the historic town of Inveraray for a brief exploration and a chance to admire the peaceful waters of Loch Fyne.
As we make our way back to Glasgow, enjoy stunning views of the Arrochar Alps as we pass by the renowned Rest and Be Thankful viewpoint, arriving back in the city in the evening.
1 Day Tour Itinerary & Map
Leaving Glasgow in the morning, we embark on a scenic drive through Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park. We’ll traverse through the remote wilderness of Rannoch Moor, before making a stop at Glen Coe to soak up stunning views of its dramatic peaks.
Then, get excited for the highlight of our Jacobite Steam Train tour from Glasgow! You’ll embark the train in Fort William before winding your way along Scotland’s rugged west coast, crossing the legendary Glenfinnan Viaduct, known from the Harry Potter films. Disembark the train in Mallaig, with time to explore the town and find a local lunch spot. Mallaig is a well-known fishing port, so don’t miss the chance to try some fresh seafood!
After lunch, we continue along the scenic Appin coast, passing by the beautiful Kilchurn Castle, nestled on the shores of Loch Awe. Next, we make our way to the historic town of Inveraray for a brief exploration and a chance to admire the peaceful waters of Loch Fyne.
As we make our way back to Glasgow, enjoy stunning views of the Arrochar Alps as we pass by the renowned Rest and Be Thankful viewpoint, arriving back in the city in the evening.
Day Highlights
Departure Point
Glasgow City Centre
All our tours from Glasgow depart from the following address: Stance 23 to 32 (look out for a blue bus) Buchanan Street Bus Station Killermont Street Glasgow G2 3NW
Not sure how to get here? Find more info on our Departure Info page.
Departure & Return Time
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- West Highlands, Glen Coe & The Jacobite Steam Train