Glenfinnan Viaduct, Glencoe, Fort William and Scottish Highlands Day Tour
by The Hairy Coo
Choose from 3 available options
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.£94Overview
This full-day bus tour from Edinburgh covers about 12 hours and explores key sites across the Scottish Highlands. After leaving Edinburgh, the tour heads north through Scotland’s central belt, passing royal palaces and Stirling Castle. The first stop is Balquhidder (or Callander in winter), set in the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, where you can take a break with refreshments before continuing. The route continues through Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, where the bus passes hills, mountains, and glens once home to Highland clans and Rob Roy MacGregor. The guide shares stories of local history and legend. There may be a stop to photograph the Highland cows. Next is a short stop at Glencoe, site of a 17th-century massacre. The guide explains the historic betrayal as you observe the quiet valley. The journey then moves through Fort William, passing Ben Nevis, the tallest mountain in the British Isles, before arriving at the Glenfinnan Viaduct. Here, you have about an hour to view the viaduct spanning 1000 feet and rising 100 feet above Loch Shiel. The guide tells the story of Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Jacobite Rebellion. If the Jacobite Steam Train (Hogwarts Express) is running, the group may watch it cross the viaduct (train schedule is seasonal and not guaranteed). The tour includes a brief stop at the Commando Monument, a memorial for Britain’s Special Forces training site, with views of the Nevis Range and possibly Ben Nevis if weather permits. On the way south, the bus passes through Cairngorms National Park, where local wildlife such as red squirrels and golden eagles live. The final stop is the town of Pitlochry, located in Highland Perthshire near Ben Vrackie mountain and the River Tummel. You have about 30 minutes to walk and take in the surroundings. Returning to Edinburgh, the route passes the Forth Bridge, a 19th-century cantilever bridge and UNESCO World Heritage Site, alongside two newer bridges spanning the Firth of Forth. The tour ends in central Edinburgh, with drop-off around 7 PM or 8:30 PM depending on departure time. The tour is conducted in an air-conditioned coach with live commentary from an experienced Scottish guide and includes regular comfort breaks.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Balquhidder
After leaving Edinburgh, the bus travels north through the central belt of Scotland. The guide shares stories about Scottish heroes like William Wallace and Robert the Bruce, and points out royal palaces, the Kelpies sculptures, and Stirling Castle. The first stop is in Balquhidder, located within Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, where guests can stretch their legs and buy coffee or baked goods. In winter, the stop changes to Callander.
30 min
Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park
The coach drives through the park's hills, mountains, and glens. This area was once home to Highland Clans and the outlaw Rob Roy MacGregor. The guide tells stories about clan life, betrayal, and revenge. If Highland cows are spotted, the group may pause for photos.
Glencoe
Glencoe is known for a 17th-century massacre. The guide recounts the details of this event while the group observes the quiet valley and surrounding hills. Glencoe is also recognized as one of Scotland’s notable landscapes.
10 min
Fort William
The bus passes through Fort William and drives near Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the British Isles. The mountain and Nevis Range dominate the view as the tour continues toward Glenfinnan.
15 min
Glenfinnan Viaduct
This viaduct stretches 1000 feet across Loch Shiel, rising 100 feet above the ground. It is famous as the site where Bonnie Prince Charlie raised his standard in 1745. Visitors can climb to the top of the monument for views of the Glen and hear the story of the Jacobite Rebellion. The group may see the Jacobite Steam Train (Hogwarts Express) cross the viaduct if it is operating during the season.
60 min
Commando Monument
The tour stops briefly at this memorial to Britain’s Special Forces training ground established in 1942. The statue overlooks the Nevis Range, and on clear days, Ben Nevis can be seen. This location is a popular photo spot.
10 min
Cairngorms National Park
On the return journey south, the coach passes through this national park, home to wildlife including red squirrels, deer, buzzards, pine martens, golden eagles, and osprey.
Pitlochry
Located in Highland Perthshire, Pitlochry sits below Ben Vrackie mountain beside the River Tummel. The town is surrounded by hills and woodlands offering good walking opportunities. Visitors have about 30 minutes to explore.
30 min
Forth Bridge
Approaching Edinburgh, the route passes the Forth Bridge, a 19th-century cantilever bridge and UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is accompanied by the 20th-century Forth Road Bridge and the 21st-century Queensferry Crossing, spanning the Firth of Forth.
Edinburgh
The tour ends with drop-off in Edinburgh city centre. Estimated arrival is about 7 PM for 7 AM departures and 8:30 PM for 8:30 AM departures, depending on traffic. Passengers are advised to allow at least two hours before any onward travel.
5 min
Meeting point
We meet in front of Burns Monument, on Regent Road, Edinburgh. What3Words: ///allow.topped.joined Check-in opens 15 minutes before the departure time. 7 AM departures, CHECK-IN AT 6:45 AM. 8 AM departures, CHECK-IN AT 7:45 AM.
End point
We meet in front of Burns Monument, on Regent Road, Edinburgh. What3Words: ///allow.topped.joined Check-in opens 15 minutes before the departure time. 7 AM departures, CHECK-IN AT 6:45 AM. 8 AM departures, CHECK-IN AT 7:45 AM.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
Glenfinnan Viaduct, Glencoe, Fort William and Scottish Highlands Day Tour
by The Hairy Coo
Choose from 3 available options
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.£94Overview
This full-day bus tour from Edinburgh covers about 12 hours and explores key sites across the Scottish Highlands. After leaving Edinburgh, the tour heads north through Scotland’s central belt, passing royal palaces and Stirling Castle. The first stop is Balquhidder (or Callander in winter), set in the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, where you can take a break with refreshments before continuing. The route continues through Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, where the bus passes hills, mountains, and glens once home to Highland clans and Rob Roy MacGregor. The guide shares stories of local history and legend. There may be a stop to photograph the Highland cows. Next is a short stop at Glencoe, site of a 17th-century massacre. The guide explains the historic betrayal as you observe the quiet valley. The journey then moves through Fort William, passing Ben Nevis, the tallest mountain in the British Isles, before arriving at the Glenfinnan Viaduct. Here, you have about an hour to view the viaduct spanning 1000 feet and rising 100 feet above Loch Shiel. The guide tells the story of Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Jacobite Rebellion. If the Jacobite Steam Train (Hogwarts Express) is running, the group may watch it cross the viaduct (train schedule is seasonal and not guaranteed). The tour includes a brief stop at the Commando Monument, a memorial for Britain’s Special Forces training site, with views of the Nevis Range and possibly Ben Nevis if weather permits. On the way south, the bus passes through Cairngorms National Park, where local wildlife such as red squirrels and golden eagles live. The final stop is the town of Pitlochry, located in Highland Perthshire near Ben Vrackie mountain and the River Tummel. You have about 30 minutes to walk and take in the surroundings. Returning to Edinburgh, the route passes the Forth Bridge, a 19th-century cantilever bridge and UNESCO World Heritage Site, alongside two newer bridges spanning the Firth of Forth. The tour ends in central Edinburgh, with drop-off around 7 PM or 8:30 PM depending on departure time. The tour is conducted in an air-conditioned coach with live commentary from an experienced Scottish guide and includes regular comfort breaks.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Balquhidder
After leaving Edinburgh, the bus travels north through the central belt of Scotland. The guide shares stories about Scottish heroes like William Wallace and Robert the Bruce, and points out royal palaces, the Kelpies sculptures, and Stirling Castle. The first stop is in Balquhidder, located within Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, where guests can stretch their legs and buy coffee or baked goods. In winter, the stop changes to Callander.
30 min
Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park
The coach drives through the park's hills, mountains, and glens. This area was once home to Highland Clans and the outlaw Rob Roy MacGregor. The guide tells stories about clan life, betrayal, and revenge. If Highland cows are spotted, the group may pause for photos.
Glencoe
Glencoe is known for a 17th-century massacre. The guide recounts the details of this event while the group observes the quiet valley and surrounding hills. Glencoe is also recognized as one of Scotland’s notable landscapes.
10 min
Fort William
The bus passes through Fort William and drives near Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the British Isles. The mountain and Nevis Range dominate the view as the tour continues toward Glenfinnan.
15 min
Glenfinnan Viaduct
This viaduct stretches 1000 feet across Loch Shiel, rising 100 feet above the ground. It is famous as the site where Bonnie Prince Charlie raised his standard in 1745. Visitors can climb to the top of the monument for views of the Glen and hear the story of the Jacobite Rebellion. The group may see the Jacobite Steam Train (Hogwarts Express) cross the viaduct if it is operating during the season.
60 min
Commando Monument
The tour stops briefly at this memorial to Britain’s Special Forces training ground established in 1942. The statue overlooks the Nevis Range, and on clear days, Ben Nevis can be seen. This location is a popular photo spot.
10 min
Cairngorms National Park
On the return journey south, the coach passes through this national park, home to wildlife including red squirrels, deer, buzzards, pine martens, golden eagles, and osprey.
Pitlochry
Located in Highland Perthshire, Pitlochry sits below Ben Vrackie mountain beside the River Tummel. The town is surrounded by hills and woodlands offering good walking opportunities. Visitors have about 30 minutes to explore.
30 min
Forth Bridge
Approaching Edinburgh, the route passes the Forth Bridge, a 19th-century cantilever bridge and UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is accompanied by the 20th-century Forth Road Bridge and the 21st-century Queensferry Crossing, spanning the Firth of Forth.
Edinburgh
The tour ends with drop-off in Edinburgh city centre. Estimated arrival is about 7 PM for 7 AM departures and 8:30 PM for 8:30 AM departures, depending on traffic. Passengers are advised to allow at least two hours before any onward travel.
5 min
Meeting point
We meet in front of Burns Monument, on Regent Road, Edinburgh. What3Words: ///allow.topped.joined Check-in opens 15 minutes before the departure time. 7 AM departures, CHECK-IN AT 6:45 AM. 8 AM departures, CHECK-IN AT 7:45 AM.
End point
We meet in front of Burns Monument, on Regent Road, Edinburgh. What3Words: ///allow.topped.joined Check-in opens 15 minutes before the departure time. 7 AM departures, CHECK-IN AT 6:45 AM. 8 AM departures, CHECK-IN AT 7:45 AM.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.