Hogwarts Express and the Scenic Highlands Day Tour from Inverness
Recommended by 93% of travelers
Inverness, Scotland
- 12 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Enjoy some of Scotland's most stunning scenery as you travel into the Highlalnds on this full-day guided tour from Inverness. Journey around Loch Ness and all the way to the west coast. You'll see ancient ruins, a poignant war memorial, beautiful beaches and a hidden waterfall before boarding the classic Jacobite Steam Train, one of the world's most scenic railways and made famous by the Harry Potter movies.
- Full-day tour of the Scottish Highlands from Inverness: See multiple attractions in one day
- Includes tickets for the classic Jacobite Steam Train
- Learn about Scottish history and culture from your guide
- Cover plenty of ground without the hassle of driving
What's Included
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Jacobite Steam Train one-way ticket (Fort William to Mallaig)
- Local English Speaking Guide
- Please note that the itinerary will be reversed on dates when the tour starts at 9:30am.
- Lunch
- Restroom on board
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- 15 Union St, Inverness IV1, UK
Meet 15 minutes before departure, across from the Victorian Market entrance, for check-in. Look for a blue or yellow bus.
End point
- 15 Union St, Inverness IV1 1JT, UK
Operating hours.7:30 am
Itinerary
1
Urquhart Castle
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
2
Commando Monument
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
3
Fort William
2 hours • Admission Ticket Free
4
Mallaig
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
5
Fort Augustus
45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
6
Suidhe Viewpoint
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
7
Dores
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- 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.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 34 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.7
based on 1,776 reviews
Jacques_F, Apr 2026
Really enjoyed the day spent touring the Highlands. Our guide Karen was extremely friendly and ensured everyone was taken care of.
It was nice having seeing the land and hearing about the history, Karen was the right person for the job. Thank you.
Neelam_C, Oct 2025
We had a wonderful time on the tour. The highlight of the tour was the one-way Harry Potter train It was raining but we enjoyed the scenery and were able to see the bridge. Our tour guide Donnie was very good. He showed us much more than we were expecting. He gave enough time and attention to every single person in that bus. Driving and giving commentary same time 👍 amazing!
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Hi
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us a review of your recent steam train coach tour experience.
We are delighted to read that you had such an enjoyable time on tour with Donnie. We will be sure to pass on your kind words. We are glad you enjoyed the scenery, the train and bridge.
We look forward to welcoming you back on tour with us again soon.
Kind Regards
Keith, Reservations, Highland Explorer Tours
Wendy_M, Oct 2025
This is a long day, with a lot of ground covered. However, it is well paced and the Jacobite steam train ride in the middle of the day is a definite highlight and a comfortable ride. Ian was a great guide who was very knowledgable about the area and had many stories and local lore to add. He gave us plenty of time to explore various areas we visited, and adapted when one location was full and we couldn't park as planned. I highly recommend a fresh fish lunch in Mailag.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Hi
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us a review of your recent steam train coach tour experience.
We are delighted to read that you had such an enjoyable time on tour with Ian. We will be sure to pass on your kind words. We are glad you enjoyed the stories and the knowledge Ian shared,
We look forward to welcoming you back on tour with us again soon.
Kind Regards
Keith, Reservations, Highland Explorer Tours
James_M, Oct 2025
The tour guide gives you so much information and stories about the different areas in Scotland. She stops regularly for photo opportunities and for longer breaks. Bring lunch for the train and sit on the left side. It was a great way to see Scotland. Highly recommend
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Hi
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us a review of your recent steam train coach tour experience.
We are delighted to read that you had such an enjoyable time on tour with us. We will be sure to pass on your kind words. We recommend getting or bringing something for lunch or snacks for the train journey. We allocate the seating for the steam train for each tour the day before.
We look forward to welcoming you back on tour with us again soon.
Kind Regards
Keith, Reservations, Highland Explorer Tours
Anna_N, Oct 2025
Amazing way to see the inspiration for the Hogwarts Express! You get a bit of history, a train ride over the beautiful Glenfinnan Viaduct, and lunch at a seaside town on the west coast. The only thing that would’ve made it better would’ve been also watching the train from the hill by the viaduct. Iain our tour guide’s story telling skills are unmatched.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you for taking the time to leave such a great review for your recent tour with the wonderful Iain.
It sounds like you had a fantastic day riding the magical Jacobite Steam Train over the Glenfinnan Viaduct.
P.S yes, we will take a chocolate frog please!
Kind Regards, EJ - Sales and Reservations
Marilyn_S, Oct 2025
A very Harry Potter tour, our guide Torquil was great at getting us in character. He was also great at keeping order on the bus. The weather wasn't the best but he had plenty of stories to make the tour really interesting.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Hi
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us a 5 star review of your recent tour experience on the Hogwarts Express and Highlands tour.
We are delighted to read that you had such an enjoyable time on tour with Torqill. We will be sure to pass on your kind words.
We look forward to welcoming you back on tour with us again soon.
Kind Regards
Keith, Reservations, Highland Explorer Tours
Kristin_P, Oct 2025
Our guide, Iain, was great it was just a long day. It would be nice to have other options available like a half day tour that includes the train and a few stops before and after. Otherwise, it was a great experience!
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Hi
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us a 4 star review of your recent tour experience on the Hogwarts Express and Highlands tour.
We are delighted to read that you had such an enjoyable time on tour with Iain.
We will be sure to pass on your kind words and feedback.
We look forward to welcoming you back on tour with us again soon.
Kind Regards
Keith, Reservations, Highland Explorer Tours
Shannon_S, Sep 2025
Our tour guide was fantastic. Other than that, we didn’t feel that it was worth the money paid. The train ride was advertised as ‘Hogwarts Express’, but there was no reference to Harry Potter at all (with the exception of some souvenirs for sale), which was disappointing to some in our group. Additionally, we were randomly assigned seats on the train, and the seats on the other side offered a SUBSTANTIALLY better view and overall experience, not just for the viaduct, but in many other areas as well. When the coffee/tea/snacks trolley finally came our way, it was about 15 mins from the terminal stop, so we couldn’t be bothered to order. The ordering process was so slow and tedious, I don’t even know if they had time to serve everyone. The fact that they stopped in the aisle beside us (obstructing our view further) to serve the group across from us for such a long time also added to our decision not to order anything as by then we just wanted them to move out of the way. Every time they needed to allow someone to pass, they had to roll the whole trolley along to the end and come back which seemed crazy - why not just take orders and come back with prepared drinks and snacks several at a time? We’re certain this would speed up the whole business by leaps and bounds. Presumably we all paid the same amount as I don’t recall options for better seats when booking. We did really enjoy the later stop to see the viaduct from below, which we didn’t expect to be able to do. We also had some stops in towns that were good, and some other great photo stops along the way, but the draw for this tour was the train ride and that part just didn’t meet our expectations.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you for taking the time to provide your constructive feedback following your recent tour. We are really pleased that you appreciated the attention and information provided by our expert driver guide- it sounds like they made a great impression and enhanced your tour experience!
We regret that aspects of the included train journey did not prove satisfactory. This portion of the tour is included by ourselves but operated by a third party- West Coast Railways. We will always receive a group booking for our passengers from this company and the requirements of a group booking mean that we are offered seating in a standard class carriage which is indicated on the information pages about this tour. Seat upgrades to first class are available directly with the operator subject to on the day availability but cannot be upgraded in advance. All seats are randomly allocated to ensure fairness to all passengers travelling on tour, however specific seating requests are welcome and can be discussed with our team prior to travel. We will be pleased to forward your feedback about the concessions trolley to West Coast Railways and trust that they will consider this as part of their continued development to ensure a more enjoyable journey for future passengers.
We are thrilled to have included a bonus stop for you as part of this tour to view the iconic Glenfinnan viaduct and the cinematic magic of Loch Shiel! We are pleased that you enjoyed the other scenic photo stops throughout the Highlands during the tour.
Your comments and experience are invaluable as we continually review our tours and look to make improvements and hope that we have opportunity to welcome you back for another wee adventure in future!
Kind regards,
Amy
Nick_M, Sep 2025
Our driver for the day was Duffy. It was awesome having a local as our driver/tour guide. He knew all the things to point out and had stories to tell us about his childhood growing up in the area. The Highlands are beautiful and I hope to come back again and see more! I highly recommend this tour to anyone, especially if Duffy is your guide!
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Hi
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us a review of your recent steam train coach tour experience.
We are delighted to read that you had such an enjoyable time on tour with Duffy. We will be sure to pass on your kind words..
We look forward to welcoming you back on tour with us again soon.
Kind Regards
Keith, Reservations, Highland Explorer Tours
Rodney_F, Sep 2025
Be prepared to be in awe of how beautiful this place is. Despite the rain we had an awesome time. Craig was an amazing tour guide. He was very sweet to bring my husband’s phone to us after he left it on the van!
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Hi
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us a review of your recent steam train coach tour experience.
We are delighted to read that you had such an enjoyable time on tour with Craig. We are glad you enjoyed the scenery. We will be sure to pass on your kind words.
We look forward to welcoming you back on tour with us again soon.
Kind Regards
Keith, Reservations, Highland Explorer Tours
Craig_C, Sep 2025
Great tour with great tour guide Torquil! Good overview of western highlands including a ride on the "Harry Potter" train. My only suggestion is to add a stop to see Loch Lochy!! Those of us on the left hand side of the bus never had a good look at it. (Replace it with the Farquhart Castle stop if time is a constraint.)
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Hi
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us a review of your recent steam train coach tour experience.
We are delighted to read that you had such an enjoyable time on tour with Torquil. We will be sure to pass on your kind words and feedback.
We look forward to welcoming you back on tour with us again soon.
Kind Regards
Keith, Reservations, Highland Explorer Tours
Gillian_S, Sep 2025
The trip we were sold was not the trip we received. I’m still on sure what happened but it’s like we did the tour in reverse with very poor time management so we didn’t see anything on the way back because it was dark. No castle, no Nessie lookout. And we didn’t get the steam train. We also stopped for lunch early before places seemed to open, before we got to Mallaig so limited options and then a very quick 30 minutes in Mallaige. Based on time in stops or time of day there was very limited food options or long enough stops so if you do take the trip I highly recommend taking a lunch to go. Or take the 730am versus the 930am tour. I wasn’t offered this option through Viator but the company does. Not sure where the responsibility lies but unfortunately this will be my last Viator tour because it doesn’t matter what country I’m in, the tour is never as advertised. I gave this tour a two because the driver was knowledgeable and played some good music and the drive was nice. But none of the stops listed are as advertised.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Dear Gillian,
Many thanks for taking the time to leave your feedback of your tour.
As advertised on Viator, this tour's itinerary will be reversed when it departs at 9.30am so the stops will be in a different order. However, we have taken on board your feedback regarding the daylight hours for viewing attractions.
Unfortunately on the date you travelled, the Steam Locomotive broke down so the train operator substituted this with a diesel engine so that the Jacobite train could still make the famous journey over the Glenfinnan Viaduct.
I am happy to hear that you found the driver to be knowledgable and enjoyed their music.
Many thanks again for taking the time to leave your feedback and I am truly sorry to read that you did not have an overall good experience.
Kind regards,
Ayla
Sales and Reservations Manager
Hannah_B, Sep 2025
The guide and driver were amazing. Sadly, there was a young child on the bus that did not stop complaining or singing loudly for most of the 12 hour day. It made for a long day.
The train was dingy and visibility out the windows was obstructed with dirt. There was no commentary so there was no explanations for the multiple stops or what should be seen.
It would have been better if the guide came on the train to narrate the trip. Unless you are a Harry Potter fan take the tour without the train.
James_K, Sep 2025
There many beautiful views of Loch Ness and the highlands. The trip on the steam train was a bit disappointing. We crossed the historic bridge/viaduct but, being on the train we could not see the viaduct well. We sat on the left side of the train; those on the right side had much better views. (There were no other seats on that side when we boarded.). The driver and tour guide Donnie was very friendly and helpful. He keep a running commentary throughout the trip. However, his commentary was often about stories of hunted houses or ghosts. There was very little history or life of the locals or wildlife, etc.
Ramie_K, Sep 2025
We had an AMAZING time on this tour!! Toni was our guide who was knowledgeable, funny, and had us interested the entire ride. Emma was our driver and she made sure we got everywhere safe and sound! It was our last tour in Scotland, and I can say we saved the best for last. We were never bored, tired, and we were sad when it ended. I can’t recommend this tour enough!!
Response from Host, Sep 2025
We are so happy to receive your praise about our tour and fantastic driver guide team Emma & Toni!
We are glad that you found the commentary engaging and appreciated our consideration for your safety.
We are pleased that our tour was the cherry on top of your visit to Scotland and hope to welcome you back for another wee adventure in the future!
Kind regards,
Amy
Highland Explorer Tours
Angelina_P, Sep 2025
Totally amazing! Emma and Toni were fantastic guides! Every stop was well worth it! Would definitely recommend them and the tour to others.
Linda_W, Sep 2025
Not being a Harry Potter fan didn’t know the story about the bridge. Thought there would be a commentary by the train operators describing what we were seeing.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Dear Linda,
Thank you for sharing your feedback following your recent tour!
We will be sure to forward your suggestions regarding commentary during the 2 hour Jacobite Steam Train journey to the operator of this service: West Coast Railways.
We do hope that you appreciated the informative and entertaining commentary provided by our driver guide during your coach tour. We hope that you enjoyed learning about Scotland's rich and bloody history, unique culture and folklore all whilst discovering the stunning Highland scenery!
We hope to welcome you on tour again in the future.
Kind regards,
Amy- Reservations Supervisor - Highland Explorer Tours
Renee_C, Sep 2025
Absolutely incredible experience. If you are a Harry Potter fan, seeing the steam train actually operating is the greatest joy you can imagine. Hike to a viewing point is easy and then the view is amazing. Would recommend to everyone!
Michael_D, Sep 2025
Emma our driver and Toni our guide were great. Very knowledgeable and showed us a lot of sights and gave us great background and history of the area. Train a little disappointing unless you are seated on left side of train to get pics of the view. A great day.
Danielle_P, Sep 2025
Donnie was our tour guide and he gave us a five star experience. He was very knowledgeable about the military history of Scotland and the UK. It was a beautiful way to see the Highlands!!
Mary_P, Aug 2025
It didn’t live up to expectations. The Steam Engine was out of service & replaced with a diesel engine. The train was dirty inside & out. There was no narrative. The snack selection was also disappointing & nothing was included. On to of the high ticket price we had to purchase snacks & drinks.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Dear Mary, we are very sorry that your to departure was impacted by a last minute technical fault to the steam train locomotive which resulted in West Coast Railways (the third party operator of this service) making a change to the locomotive used to haul the carriages to ensure the continued operation of their service. We fully appreciate the frustration and disappointment this will have caused and wish to highlight that this unexpected situation was entirely beyond our control. We have forwarded your comments regarding the cleanliness of the train to the operator so that this can be addressed.
As part of this tour, we do not advertise there being any commentary/narration during the 2 hour Jacobite Train journey and so are unsure as to why this had been your expectation of the service. West Coast Railways also offer a selection of themed refreshments EG chocolate frogs/ jelly beans subject to availability during the service and as this is offered independently to our tour package, purchases will therefore be chargeable directly to the operator of the train.
Alongside the 2 hour rail journey, we also provided a comprehensive full day tour of the picturesque Scottish Highlands with expert driver guide commentary about our rich Scottish history, culture and folklore and included a number of scenic photo stops at iconic locations such as Glen Coe. We also offered short comfort breaks as part of the journey which offered opportunity to purchase refreshment at a selection of local eateries. We do not advertise the inclusion of meals as part of this tour product and advise all passengers to bring snacks and water to enjoy during the long bus journey as part of our pre departure communication.
We regret that your overall experience of the train journey was not positive but trust that the remainder of the tour operated by our company provided you with a pleasant experience and opportunity to discover a large part of bonnie Scotland!
Kind regards,
Amy- Reservations Supervisor-Highland Explorer Tours.
Diane_F, Aug 2025
It goes to some really cool towns. The train is just ok. The tree growth on sides of the track limits visibility. Emily is an awesome bus driver and guide.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Hello Diane, thank you for sharing your experience of this tour. We are pleased that you enjoyed the company and commentary of our driver guide Emily who is passionate about delivering an exceptional tour experience! We regret that aspects of the tour were not as satisfactory and wish to explain that August is the time of year when plants and trees will be at peak bloom in this part of the Highlands and understandably may affect visibility. Efforts to preserve native species in many protected environments will mean that areas are unmanaged and wild growth is encouraged as a conservation method.
When visiting the Highlands, we are blessed with seasonal diversity and a variety of weather conditions which means that no two visits or pictures will be the same!
We hope to welcome you back at another time of year so that you can witness this incredible seasonal transformation!
Kind regards,
Amy- Reservations Supervisor- Highland Explorer Tours
Aanchal_T, Aug 2025
Fraud. It’s better if you book your tickets on your own from the station directly. They give you dirtiest compartment to sit and also the train delays without any intimation. It was supposed to be in the morning , we got that in the evening where it was raining the whole time. Windows weren’t clean to get the view.
Worst experience
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Hello and thank you for taking the time to leave feedback of your tour. As advertised on Viator, you have the option of booking the earlier or later departure of the tour and train. I am sorry to read that you found the train to be dirty - we will be sure to pass on your feedback.
Regarding the lovely wet Scottish weather, I am afraid nobody has control over that.
I am sorry to read that your experience was dampened by this.
Kind regards,
Ayla
Andrea_M, Aug 2025
Emily was an amazing guide and driver! It’s a long day but every stop was worth it. Thank you!! Especially loved the stop at Fort Augustus at the Caledonian canal.
Thomas_B, Aug 2025
Bring snacks it a long day, lots of pictures, beautiful views. Our bus driver Donnie and narator Toni were great with explaining the area.
Jennifer_K, Aug 2025
It was a great tour! Karen was a wonderful tour guide ! Lots of humor and very informative and interactive with everyone.
Jeetendra_B, Aug 2025
Long 13 hrs trip with regular breaks to have Cofee or buy local stuff. Our Guide, Torquil was fantastic....Quite funny and friendly guide. Very knowledgeable. The train trip is overhyped, nothing great.
Angela_O, Aug 2025
A long day but Tabby our tour guide and Donny our driver made it very enjoyable. They were knowledgeable and entertaining .
We enjoyed learning about the history, the stop at Loch Ness is fab and the train ride was exciting, we would recommend.
John_D, Aug 2025
A great, well organised tour. Plenty of time at each of the stops, commentary along the way was superb. Thanks Emily (great driving and great commentary at start of trip) and Tabie (great commentary once microphone issue was sorted). Loved the bonus stop to watch afternoon train go over Glenfinnan Viaduct.
Don_B, Aug 2025
This is well worth your time. Beautiful scenery along the way. The train ride is wonderful and the guide was great.
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