Quick Details
Steam into history on this two-day tour that combines a guided bus journey through historic landscapes and a trip on the Jacobite Steam Train. See Britain’s highest mountain, deepest loch and cross the viaduct featured in the ‘Harry Potter’ films.
Wilderness and warriors…
Leaving Edinburgh behind on this magical, historic two-day tour, we’ll head north to the Forth Railway Bridge. Snap a photo of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, a memory to treasure and symbol of Scotland. Opened in 1890, the Forth Railway Bridge is a true Scottish icon recognised all over the world for being the first major steel structure, a key milestone in the development of modern railway engineering. To this day, this fantastic piece of history still holds the record for being the world’s longest cantilever bridge.
Over the river to Dunkeld…
As we head over the Firth of Forth, we’ll be making our way to the small highland village of Dunkeld, perfectly perched on the banks of the River Tay, the longest river in Scotland and seventh-longest in the United Kingdom. Enjoy your time in Dunkeld by taking a riverside walk to see the Dunkeld bridge, the largest Scottish bridge built by Thomas Telford, or visit the magical Dunkeld Cathedral. Part ruin, part parish church, this cathedral takes pride of place in this well-preserved historic town, also home to the resting place of the notorious ‘Wolf of Badenoch’, the third surviving son of King Robert II of Scotland. Make sure to explore the town to see the brightly coloured ‘little houses’, a sight which cannot be missed.
The journey north continues…
Leaving this historic Highland town behind, we’ll head further north to the ‘geographical centre of Scotland’ and of the gateways to the Highlands, Pitlochry, for a quick stop and bite to eat. Perched on the edge of the River Tummel, Pitlochry is home to one of the smallest distilleries in Scotland, Edradour. Leaving this beautiful town, we’ll once again head north on our journey, taking us through the breathtaking Drumochter Pass. Skirting the stunning peaks of the Cairngorm National Park, you’ll pass the home of five of the UK’s highest mountains.
Through the mountains to Culloden…
Passing Aviemore, we’ll drive via the Clava Cairns, a 500-year-old temple and ancient cemetery. This ancient burial ground features in the well-known ‘Outlander’ books, in the iconic scene when Claire falls through time to the 1700s. From here we’ll continue on to Culloden, the last stand of the Jacobites against the government forces. Explore the battlefield and walk in the footsteps of the hundreds of clansmen who gave their lives for the Jacobite cause or immerse yourself in the interactive history found inside of the Culloden Visitor Centre. Leaving this harrowing battlefield behind, we’ll finally be heading to Fort Augustus, a peaceful little village on the banks of Loch Ness, our overnight stop for this tour.
Overnight: Fort Augustus
Take a steam train back in time…
Enjoy a hearty breakfast before a short journey to finally jump aboard the Jacobite Steam Train! Known for being one of the world’s greatest train journeys, this train ride will take you past Britain’s highest mountain, deepest loch, shortest river and most westerly station. You may know it as the Hogwarts Express! You’ll cross the viaduct featured in the ‘Harry Potter’ films and pass the Glenfinnan Monument where Bonnie Prince Charlie raised his standard at the beginning of the 1745 Jacobite rising before arriving in Mallaig, the end of the famous West Highland Railway. Sit back, relax, enjoy the ride and don’t forget to take in those unmissable views of the highlands.
Have seafood for lunch at Mallaig…
Get ready to depart as the train arrives into Mallaig, a stunning west coast fishing town, for lunch. Mallaig, ‘Mel Vik’ in old Norse, means sand dune bay, the perfect description for this vibrant port, the end to the ‘Road to the Isles’. Spend some time learning about Mallaig’s fascinating historical past at the Mallaig Heritage Centre, or sample some of the freshest seafood Scotland has to offer. After a delicious lunch, hop back on the vintage steam engine for the journey back to Fort William, where your driver-guide will be waiting to whisk you off to the breathtaking Glen Coe.
The journey home via Glen Coe…
Heading south, you’ll enjoy a drive through Glen Coe, Scotland’s most famous and scenic glen, where the MacDonalds were betrayed. This awe-inspiring glen was carved out centuries ago by glaciers and volcanic explosions to create the stunning mountains we know and love. This beautiful glen may seem a little familiar due to its starring role in one of the ‘Harry Potter’ films. Our journey through Glen Coe takes us to Rannoch Moor, a beauty not to be missed, so stunning it was the perfect place to film a scene in James Bond’s ‘Skyfall’. At 50 square miles of peat bog and marsh, it’s one of Scotland’s last great wildernesses. From here, our last leg of the journey home begins with a drive through Stirlingshire, passing by the likes of Stirling Castle and the Kelpies, before arriving back into Edinburgh.
Q. How does our accommodation booking service work?
We can book your accommodation for you, or you can choose to book your own, as long as it is centrally located at the overnight stop location. We will send you a payment link before the tour departs so you don’t have to worry about carrying cash or paying when you arrive each night. Your driver-guide will drop you off and pick you up from the accommodation during the tour.
Q. How much will the accommodation cost?
Accommodation is not included in the tour price, below is an estimate of the costs per room per night.
Accommodation costs depend on availability and season – so it may be more or less than estimated above.
Q. If I wish to book my own accommodation is there anything I need to know?
Once you’ve booked your accommodation, you’ll need to contact us at [email protected]
– Booked the 2 day Jacobite tour and it did not disappoint. Such beautiful scenery everywhere you looked. The train was a highlight for me as a huge Harry Potter fan. The accommodation was excellent and bus was very comfy with charging ports for everyone. This was my first time in Scotland and it will not be my last.
– My mum, sister and I booked this 2 day experience when we took a girls trip to Scotland this year in July and we absolutely LOVED IT. All the sights are beautiful! You really get to see a lot of gorgeous Scotland within a short amount of time. I especially have to thank the tour guide for our great experience (Greg). He was so friendly, funny, knowledge and made us feel so comfortable! Thank you, Greg :)! The bus is also very clean and comfortable, really enjoyed driving through Scotland and taking in the dreamy landscape through the windows. Highly recommend!!!! And would definitely use this company again when I return to Scotland!
— My wife and I took the 2-day Jacobite Experience tour. Our tour guide, Steven B was an excellent guide, with a comprehensive knowledge of the local history and folklore, and very accommodating. Never a dull moment! It was obvious he was genuinely passionate about showing his wonderful country to the world. The tour itself was excellent. There were plenty of stops along the way, but I didn’t feel like we were rushed at all. We got to see some amazing natural features in the Highlands, wild deer, and plenty of hairy coos! The guest house was decent, and the owners were very friendly. The Jacobite express portion of the trip didn’t disappoint. The scenery along the route is simply world class! I see why they say it’s the best train journey in Europe. I didn’t realise it was a return journey when I booked the tour, so that was a nice surprise because everybody got a chance to sit on the left side of the train to capture the incredible landscapes. I would highly recommend anyone to take a trip with highland experience tours. They do what they say on the tin, and go above and beyond to make sure you get the best highland experience possible