Description - What to expect

Your day trip from Edinburgh to Glenfinnan begins with a pick-up in the heart of Edinburgh city center, on the Royal Mile. Departing Edinburgh's bustling streets, passing some of its most iconic sights like Edinburgh Castle on your way out, and begin your journey north into the rugged Scottish Highlands.

We pause for refreshments at Callander, the gateway to the Highlands, before continuing to Glencoe. The well-known, dramatic Glen features in many films, such as James Bonds' Skyfall, and is the backdrop to some scenes from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, perfect to get you in the mood to visit the famous "Harry Potter Bridge" that you will see later in the tour. We pause here for photos and to learn all about the history of Glencoe, including the massacre of the MacDonald clan in 1692.

From the atmospheric Glencoe, we travel further along the banks of Loch Linnhe to the Highland town of Fort William, which sits at the foot of Britain's tallest mountain - Ben Nevis. We stop here to allow you to stretch your legs and have an early lunch break before we journey onwards to the Glenfinnan Viaduct.

The Glenfinnan Viaduct was arguably made most famous from its scenes in Harry Potter and is surrounded by mountains on the stunning shores of Loch Shiel. Not only is this location famous for the Jacobite Steam Train (not to be confused with the Hogwarts' Express), Loch Sheil was the location of the "Black Lake". See if you can spot a "grindylow" causing trouble under the surface! It's also the setting for Buckbeak's beautiful flight, scenes from the Triwizard Tournament, and also the stunning loch on which Hogwarts sits.

We take in the viaduct and a photo opportunity before a visit to the nearby Glenfinnan Monument, which symbolizes one of the most important events in Scottish history; the 1745 Jacobite uprising.

Departing Glenfinnan, we begin our return journey to Edinburgh, stopping along the way for refreshments at the small village of Pitlochry*. Enjoy time to stretch your legs and grab a quick bite to eat before we return to Edinburgh where your day trip from Edinburgh will end.

*During peak months the itinerary may be run in reverse to avoid congestion at attractions and refreshment stops. When running in reverse we will pass through Pitlochry but stop at an alternative location for refreshments.