From Edinburgh: Glenfinnan, Highlands and Hairy Coos
Description
This tour is unique for its blend of stunning landscapes, rich history, and cultural experiences. It takes visitors through iconic Scottish scenery, from the beauty of lochs, highlands and glens, while exploring historical events like the Jacobite Uprisings and the tragedy of Glencoe. Pop culture fans will enjoy visiting Harry Potter filming locations, including the Glenfinnan Viaduct and Glencoe. The tour also offers authentic encounters, such as meeting Highland Cows, exploring charming villages, and tasting local flavours, creating a truly unforgettable and immersive Scottish experience.
Tour Options
Itinerary
The journey begins at Callander, the "Gateway to the Highlands," where visitors can explore local shops and enjoy a meal before entering Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, offering stunning views of lochs, mountains, and lush countryside.
The journey continues through Argyll and Bute into the Highlands, showcasing Rannoch Moor and the breath-taking Glencoe in the Caledonian Mountain range. Discover the ancient supervolcano that formed the "Three Sisters" peaks, learn about the tragic Massacre of Glencoe, and spot the iconic backdrop from the Harry Potter series.
Have lunch in Fort William, located at the base of the Nevis Range. Explore the remnants of old army barracks, take a stroll along the shores of Loch Linnhe, and savor local cafe delights before resuming the journey.
Arrive at Glenfinnan, the highlight of the journey, featuring the Glenfinnan Viaduct by Thomas Telford and the Jacobite Monument. Explore trails for stunning views, have a chance to spot the Jacobite Steam Train* (operating May 5th–September 26th, 2025), and relive the magic of the Hogwarts Express. Visit the shores of Loch Shiel and the historic Glenfinnan Monument, marking Bonnie Prince Charlie’s 1745 Jacobite Uprising. *Please be aware that the Jacobite Steam Train is operated independently by West Coast Railways. This service operates seasonally, from 5th May- 26th September 2025. While our tour is planned to coincide with the train's schedule, we cannot guarantee that the train will be running on the day of your tour. On days when the Jacobite Steam Train is not operating, you can still enjoy views of the viaduct.
In the afternoon, journey through the Cairngorms, Scotland's largest national park, known as the "Blue Mountains." Relax and take in the rugged landscapes and ancient Caledonian pine forests.
The final stop of the tour offers a chance to meet Highland Cows, affectionately called “Hairy Coos” in Scotland. Enjoy an unforgettable experience interacting with these adorable animals and capturing iconic photos to round off your journey.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children under 3 years not accepted. Proof of ID for children may be required at check in.
Reviews(121)
We had an amazing time, our tour guide Jamie was knowledgeable and had the most amazing playlist perfectly curated for the trip. The stops were all just the right amount of time and we always knew when and where we would be heading off next. I think because of the long rides children may enjoy their other tours more, but couples, families (with bigger children) and solo travelers will have the best time.
It was a long day on the bus but worth seeing so much of Scottish countryside. We missed stopping at the most amazing view in Glencoe because there was no parking. Nothing the tour guides could do about that but they took us to a beautiful stop just down the highway. We also wish lunch was longer so we didn’t need to eat McD and rush thru eating. But we had a full 12 hr day of many sites to see. The tour guides were super knowledgeable and funny. They played music in between sites that were relative to the sites being seen and added a little more magic to the highland views.
I enjoyed visiting the sites which were a part of the itenerary. What I did not expect was the sheer number of hours spent in the coach, driving, likely totalling 7-8 hours. The seats were not comfortable..
We did the one day 13 hour tour to the highlands from Edinburgh, we had a brilliant day. Terri and Alan were a great team and made the day fun and interesting
This was a great way to see the Highlands and learn about the region. Our guide Rose was an expert in Scottish history and a very good storyteller. A few things to help you prepare for this, though: It is a long day with a meet up at 7am and not arriving back until after 7pm. The longest stretch between stops was two hours, but for the most part we stopped every 60-75 minutes or so. There are plenty of stops so you can grab food and use the bathroom, but they are quick. The average stop was about 30-40 minutes with just enough time to grab a pre-made sandwich or snack from a grocery store or small cafe (so don’t expect a lengthy stop to sit down at a restaurant or anything like that). Maybe consider packing some snacks on the bus. Overall, excellent experience and very worth it!
Our driver and tour guide Lee gave us a really excellent day, he was accompanied by colleague Terri. Perfectly timed stops for food, gifts and toilet breaks, with local advice given on food. Great balance between tour guide description of sites and history. Long day but with stops every 2hours the time went so we didn't notice. They made sure we saw the steam train over the viaduct and also had loads of time feeding the hairy Coos. Would really recommend.
We traveled with Rose and she was an amazing storyteller! One of only 140 nationally recognized in Scotland, and the honors are well-placed. Entertaining every step of the way. If you get her, ask her to tell her selkie story that she told to complete her storytelling certification! Truly lovely.
Excellent information shared made the day fun and exciting. Enough stops to get out and stretch our legs. Beautiful sites
Hi Kelly! Thank you for your wonderful review! We're so glad you enjoyed the trip and appreciated all the beautiful sites. It's great that the stops allowed you to relax during the tour too. We hope to see you on another journey soon! Kind regards, Wayne Highland Experience Tours
I missed this tour, so can’t comment on the actual tour itself - but just want to commend the company on their professionalism. They did communicate with me, offered flexibility, and waited for a few minutes. When I was still unable to make it (stuck in traffic :( ), they offered me an alternative tour even though it was my fault I was unable to attend. The company left me with a great impression.
Fantastic day! Loved Rose’s great sense of humour and story telling. Amazing depth of knowledge on Scottish history.
