Hogwarts Express and the Scenic Highlands Day Tour from Inverness
Recommended by 93% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
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
Start time.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
Supplied by
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 1,984 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Isabella_I, Sep 2026
Karen was great! Good day and beautiful scenery all around. We had many stops , perfect for pictures.
Serena_D, Aug 2026
Such wasted potential. I’m giving this experience one star, and that star is solely for the Jacobite train itself.
Let’s start with the positives. The Jacobite train experience is genuinely picturesque and unique. The scenery is breathtaking, and the nostalgia is undeniable for any Harry Potter fan.
If you are fortunate enough to get on the train, sit on the LEFT side — the views are significantly better than from the right. One additional piece of advice: skip the food and beverages on the train. They were disappointing at best.
Unfortunately, the rest of the experience was overshadowed by our tour guide, Donnie.
I have never had a tour guide who seemed so consistently disengaged from the experience he was supposed to be leading. His stories were uninspired, difficult to follow, and on multiple occasions appeared to be factually inaccurate. Rather than explaining the history or significance of the places we were visiting, he frequently asked passengers what they already knew. While that can be appropriate in moderation, here it often felt like a substitute for actually providing information.
Even more frustrating was the amount of time spent listening to complaints. A substantial portion of the journey consisted of commentary about traffic patterns, housing prices, and how terrible his job was. There were also frequent audible sighs, groans, and other expressions of frustration over the microphone. At times, it genuinely felt less like a guided tour and more like listening to someone’s private commute. I found myself wishing there were a mute button.
The itinerary itself was also not followed particularly well. For example, we were dropped off at the Glenfinnan Monument for approximately an hour without any meaningful explanation of what we were supposed to do with that time or what we were looking at.
Given how much history and significance surrounds these locations, it was especially disappointing to receive so little context or guidance. A site like that deserves interpretation, not just a drop-off.
The contrast was made even more obvious because I had taken a Rabbie’s tour the previous day that cost roughly half as much and was dramatically better. That guide was knowledgeable, engaging, organized, and clearly understood that storytelling and context are central to the experience guests are paying for.
The Jacobite train itself is absolutely worth experiencing. However, a beautiful train ride cannot compensate for a tour guide who repeatedly detracts from the experience.
I would not recommend booking this tour if Donnie is your guide. The itinerary has tremendous potential, but the quality of the guided portion needs significant improvement.
Sheila_P, Aug 2026
This is a fantastic but long day. They do give you plenty of time to shop, eat , and use the restroom. The views are stunning.
Shane_B, Aug 2026
If you are doing the one way trip to Mallaig sit on the left hand side of the train to get the best photos and views of the Viaduct
You can also buy Harry Potter Souvenirs off the Trolley while on the Train and also a Chocolate Frog.
Kindra_B, Aug 2026
Really nice tour guide who taught us so much. We got stuck due to a wreck on the road but she was very thoughtful and accommodating throughout. Well worth the time! We got to see the train pass by twice from two different views after actually being on it as well! Our only wish would be for the Jacobite train windows be more clear or a bit more warning to open them before the viaduct to get a better view.
lilepole, Aug 2026
The commentary was informative and funny.
Felt very safe with the drivers ability navigating narrow winedy roads.
This is a fabulous all day tour that would be great for any age.
Annette_C, Jul 2026
It was overall good! However we were not told that we wouldn’t be taking the train back and we didn’t sit on the side to see the iconic Harry Potter bridge so we never really saw it which was a shame. Other than that it was a long day but we did get to see a lot!
John_W, Jul 2026
This was a great experience and definitely worth the cost. Our guide was phenomenal. Long day but one of the best excursions Ive ever had
Lynn_M, Jul 2026
The tour guide was very knowledgeable about her country and shared special stories and music throughout the day.
Shirley_B, Jul 2026
Great experience and views of highlands, long day. Guide Emily was really great. Very cheery and informative.
Caron_E, Jul 2026
Fantastic! Whole family enjoyed it. Great seeing the train from the bridge and actually being able to ride it. Train is smidge old and not luxurious but the experience of fun
Timothy_B, Jun 2026
First, I the driver Iian was very kind and knowledgeable of Highland history. The Harry Potter details were limited and the bus microphone broke in the first 30 minutes of the first 2.5 hour bus ride. We then boarded the train, which was fine. Unfortunately, very little Harry Potter, train background or history was provided during this 2.0 hours either. During the train ride they did sell Harry Potter stuff, but little commentary. After a short time in Mallaig we boarded the bus back to Inverness. Unfortunately, some of the places we were supposed to stop had know parking options, so we missed key stops. Our drive tried his best and went a different way back. It still wasn’t what we were sold and they refused any type of refund.
I would never recommend this to anyone!
I’ve been on 30 Viator Tours and this was not good.
John_M, Jun 2026
We had a great tour guide in Karen. From Inverness you are on a real time line. Karen made sure we had 15 mins spare to sort ourselves before the train left Fort William “FW”. Just a tip for future punters: from FW travel on the left or port side to enjoy full sight of the Glenfinnan Viaduct.
Spectacular scenery, much photo opportunities, interesting Karen stories throughout. A very enjoyable day.
Julie_K, May 2026
If you are looking for a train to be part of the tour, that didn't happen due to a last-minute change from the railroad operators. HOWEVER, our tour guide, Louise, was fantastic and safely drove us around the Highlands to visit some beautiful places, and we saw everything that we would have seen on the train (which I have experienced before). She was a beast at handling the bus on those "wiggly-squiggly" roads (as she described them), and I was happy to take a break from driving on the left side of the road and let her navigate us. As a native Scot, she told us many wonderful tales of Highland traditions along the way. She even quoted poetry! I always felt safe while she was driving, and she was professional and lots of fun.
Jeffrey_W, May 2026
Excellent experience. Magnificent scenery. Iain was an excellent driver and guide, Thoroughly recommend.
Theodore_B, May 2026
Karen, our tour guide, was phenomenal! The tour takes you along breathtaking scenery - along castles and lochs and everything in between. Karen did an excellent job of pointing out the scenery while also driving expertly, so that we didn’t have to worry about it. Bring a camera! There is so much to take in
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.
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