Inverness: Glenfinnan, Mallaig, and Loch Ness Adventure
Description
This one-day tour from Inverness takes in some of the most beautiful scenery of the Highlands, travelling past magnificent Loch Ness, before reaching the Glenfinnan Viaduct. Pause here for photos of the iconic bridge and see the Jacobite Steam Train cross over on its journey. Please note: The Jacobite Steam Train is operated by an independent third-party provider. Running dates, timetables, and service updates are subject to the train operator. Please refer to the official Jacobite Steam Train website for the latest service updates and information.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Your Glenfinnan tour departs Inverness and travels south, hugging the shoreline of Loch Ness for our first stop of the day, Urquhart Castle.
Your Glenfinnan tour departs Inverness and travels south, hugging the shoreline of Loch Ness for our first stop of the day, Urquhart Castle. Enjoy a short time to take photos at this iconic location, with great views over Scotland's most famous loch, and perhaps even spot Nessie!
Our tour moves on, stopping for the highlight of our day; the Glenfinnan Viaduct. Surrounded by mountains of the shores of Loch Shiel, Glenfinnan Monument symbolises one of the most important events in Scottish history; the 1745 Jacobite Uprising. We spend approximately one hour at the Monument; plenty of time to learn the history of the Jacobites, and take your iconic photos of the famous bridge. The location is not only famous for the Harry Potter bridge; Loch Shiel was the location of the 'Black Lake'; see if you can spot a 'grindylow' under the surface causing mischief! It's also the setting for Buckbeak's beautiful flight, scenes from the Triwizard Tournament and also the stunning loch where Hogwarts is based.
From Glenfinnan and its spectacular viaduct and monument, we journey westwards to Mallaig on the 'road to the Isles', or 'Rathad nan Eilean'. The area was run by the Clan Donald, and is said to have some of the most spectacular scenery in the world, with sandy beaches, dramatic hills and unforgettable sea views, it's one not to be missed! At the end of the road, we reach Mallaig, a scenic fishing port. Mallaig comes from the old Norse, 'Mel Vik', meaning a sand dune bay. Spend time here for lunch, perhaps sample some of the local seafood, and enjoy the sea views.
After Mallaig, our Harry Potter tour travels eastwards, to Loch Ness and stops at Fort Augustus. Enjoy refreshments here, with beautiful views over the loch,
Stop for photos of the Commando Memorial, located at Spean Bridge.
We visit the Falls of Foyers, an impressive waterfall that runs through to Loch Ness. Don't forget your camera for this beautiful stop!
Our final stop of the day is at Dores Beach, the most northerly point of Loch Ness. The beach provides a great viewpoint to the loch; from here you can see all the way down Loch Ness - ideal for spotting signs of Nessie! After Dores, we return back to Inverness, where your 1-day Glenfinnan tour comes to an end.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Minimum age is 4 years old.
- Minimum numbers apply. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there are not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or a full refund.
- Collapsible wheelchairs with removable wheels can be accommodated providing the passenger is accompanied by someone who can assist them board and disembark the bus.
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately.
- Please arrive a minimum of 15 minutes before your tour's departure time.
- Digital translations in English, German, French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Russian & Mandarin available on request.
- If you are driving, we recommend parking at the Old Town Rose Street Multi-Storey Car Park, 24 Rose St, IV1 1NQ, conveniently located next to our departure point.
- The Jacobite Steam Train is operated by an independent third-party provider. Running dates, timetables, and service updates are subject to the train operator. Please refer to the official Jacobite Steam Train website for the latest service updates and information
Reviews(134)
I’ve never been on a tour before and I was a bit hesitant for a full day tour, we had a blast throughout the whole day, plenty of stops along the way, the tour covered many locations. Lewis, our guide, was excellent! Friendly, funny and engaging. Couldn’t have been any better!
I never leave reviews but this tour with Lewis was incredible! He’s so knowledgeable and understands the history and local nature like no one I’ve met before! Coming from Kuwait we have very different landscapes so seeing so many different areas in such a seamless way was absolutely amazing. I’ve been convinced to take more tours from now on! Thank you Lewis 10/10 would recommend this company and him as a guide!!
Ben, our driver and guide, was very kind and stopped by a number of viewpoints outside of our plans. I enjoyed the beautiful view of the Highlands. I was a good driver and didn't mind getting carsick. Thank you very much. I recommend it.
Hi there! Thank you so much for your kind review! We are thrilled to hear that you had a great time on tour with Ben! It's lovely to hear that you felt so comfortable with him and were able to just sit back, relax, and enjoy the beauty of Scotland. We will be sure to pass along your kind words to him! We hope that you will join us again on tour and we can show you some more amazing scenery! Best wishes, Elizabeth
Totally worth it! Ben is an excellent guide, sharing tons of information mixed with a great playlist as well as a skillful driver. We've seen so many awesome places that I couldn't recommend it more. Thanks!
Hi there! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave such a kind review! We are delighted to hear that you had a great time on tour with Ben! His fun music taste and fantastic knowledge of Scotland really makes a tour fantastic! We will be sure to pass along your kind words to him! We hope to welcome you back on tour with us someday soon! Best wishes, Elizabeth
Very interesting tour with Ben who let us enjoy his knowledge of his native land in a very fun way; he even added extra stops to the initial program. Thank you for this magnificent day
Hi there! Thank you so much for your kind review! We are so happy to hear that you had a great time on tour with Ben! We are sure he will be happy to hear that you enjoyed your time on your tour with him, and we hope you learned a lot of new and interesting facts about Scotland! Please don't be a stranger, we hope to welcome you back on tour with us someday soon! Best wishes, Elizabeth
It was a day filled with adventure. Was really nice to see the “Hogwarts” train. Our tour guide was Caz. And she was awesome! She had a great knowledge of history, was funny and great people person. And I also enjoyed our lunch stop at Mallaig.
I'd like to say a massive thank you to our guide Fiona from Timberbush for an unforgettable tour from Inverness! The trip to the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct (yes, the one with the Hogwarts Express!) was absolutely magical. Fiona is a true professional and a treasure trove of fascinating stories. She didn't just talk about Harry Potter – she brought Scottish history, local legends, and the stunning landscape to life in such an engaging way that the journey flew by. The tour was genuinely interesting and far from your typical cookie-cutter sightseeing. And I have to mention the coach – it was really comfortable, with plush seats, spotlessly clean, and large windows that were perfect for taking in all those breathtaking Highland views. A huge thank you to Fiona and the whole Timberbush team for such a well-organised trip. If you're ever in Inverness, don't hesitate to book with them – I can't recommend it enough! 10/10.
This was our very first booking, and it could not have been better. Our trip started from Inverness, traveling alongside the majestic Loch Ness through some absolutely incredible scenery. A major highlight was seeing the Glenfinnan Viaduct just as the steam train was passing through—truly magical. We then moved on to Mallaig, where we enjoyed fantastic fish and chips and a leisure stroll through the town. What really made the trip, though, was our tour guide, Stewart. He was the absolute star of the day! His candour, enthusiasm, and deep knowledge of Scottish culture and history were outstanding. Stewart made our experience truly memorable. Highly recommended
A lot of driving but a lot to see. Expect nature, hills and lochs. You should do the boat trip in Mallaig, if not its a long stay.
Doreen was absolutely outstanding and made this one of the highlights of our trip to Scotland. She didn’t just recite historical facts. She brought the lands to life by sharing the history, the folklore, and the everyday culture that makes this part of Scotland so special. We learned about local traditions, modern life, and the people who call these islands home, which made every stop much more meaningful. She was warm, approachable, and happy to answer every question with genuine enthusiasm. Doreen, Thank you for giving us a deeper appreciation of Scotland and its incredible islands. This was far more than a sightseeing tour. It was an experience we’ll remember for years to come. Highly recommended!
