From Edinburgh: Magical Highlands Tour with Hogwarts Express

4.583861 out of 5 stars
4.6
4.583861 out of 5 stars
632 reviews
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From Edinburgh: Magical Highlands Tour with Hogwarts Express
4.583861 out of 5 stars
4.6
4.583861 out of 5 stars
632 reviews
Likely to sell out

Immerse yourself in the wizarding world of Harry Potter on a day trip to the Scottish Highlands from Edinburgh. See the movie filming locations and ride the famous Jacobite steam train.

About this activity

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 21 days in advance for a full refund
Duration 13 hours
Check availability to see starting times
Live tour guide
English

Highlighted reviews from other travelers

J
Jacqui – United Kingdom

It was a brilliant mix of Scottish history places of interest and Harry Potter theme with many of the inspirations for JKR and also places of filming. Watching the steam train at Glenfinnan and then riding it from Mallaig was the icing on the cake. Plus also the visit to Hamish and Honey the hairy coos. Our guide Ian was fantastic

J
Janet – Canada

Unforgettable Highland Adventure! Our bus tour through the Scottish Highlands and ride on the Jacobite Steam Train was absolutely amazing. The views were stunning—truly postcard-perfect at every turn. Our guide was fantastic: funny, informative, and incredibly kind, which made the experience even more enjoyable. Surprisingly, the bus ride was almost better than the train ride—both offered unique and breathtaking perspectives of the landscape. This tour exceeded our expectations and we would highly recommend it to anyone visiting Scotland!

Select participants and date

Itinerary

  • Timeline stop icon

    Starting location:

    The Elephant House

  • Bus/coach

    (2.67 hours)

  • Timeline stop icon

    Glencoe

    Photo stop (20 minutes)

  • Bus/coach

    (30 minutes)

  • Train

    (2.17 hours)

  • Timeline stop icon

    Mallaig

    Break time, Free time (1 hour)

  • Bus/coach

    (40 minutes)

  • Timeline stop icon

    Glenfinnan

    Break time, Photo stop, Sightseeing, Scenic views on the way (30 minutes)

  • Bus/coach

    (2 hours)

  • Pitlochry

    Break time, Free time (30 minutes)

  • Bus/coach

    (1.5 hours)

  • Arrive back at:

    The Elephant House

Main stop
Other stop

For reference only. Itineraries are subject to change.

Highlights

  • Ride the iconic "Hogwarts Express" steam train
  • Travel over the multi-arch Glenfinnan Viaduct
  • Visit multiple locations from the Harry Potter movies
  • See Loch Shiel, the lake from the "Chamber of Secrets"

Full description

Get first-hand experiences at some of the sets in the Harry Potter film series. Travel through Scotland on a bus to these locations, and conclude your tour with a visit to Glenfinnan Visitor Center.
Pass some of the key film locations from all 8 Harry Potter movies as you lose yourself in the wilderness of Rannoch Moor. Discover the volcanic glen from "The Prisoner of Azkaban" en route to Fort William, where you will board the Jacobite steam train (as seen in the Harry Potter films as the Hogwarts's Express)

Cross the Victorian-era Glenfinnan Viaduct and get views of Loch Shiel from the "Chamber of Secrets." See the site of the Triwizard Tournament from "The Goblet of Fire" and continue to the fishing village of Mallaig to get some time for lunch. 

You will board the coach from Mallaig where we will have a stop at the Glenfinnan Visitor Center for an excellent chance to photograph the steam train returning across the viaduct before you return to Edinburgh.

*Please note this tour is not exclusively "Harry Potter" related.
* Stopping at Glenfinnan is subject to parking being available

Includes

  • Transportation to Fort William
  • Single journey on the Jacobite steam train
  • Guide
  • Breakfast-type snack
  • Return by coach to Edinburgh
  • Gratuities
  • Lunch
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Guide on the train or in Mallaig

Not suitable for

  • People with food allergies
  • Children under 6 years

Meeting point

Meet at The Elephant House, 21 George IV Bridge. Next to Frankenstein's 26 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EN

Open in Google Maps

Important information

What to bring

  • Snacks
  • Water
  • Weather-appropriate clothing

Know before you go

  • There are toilet facilities on board the coach and a small packed breakfast will be provided (regrettably individual dietary requirements cannot be catered for)
  • There are facilities on board the train and lunch options in Mallaig
  • Children under 5 years old are not permitted to travel due to the length of the tour
  • This tour is not exclusively Harry Potter-themed and will include a general history of Scotland
  • Train tickets are standard class only with no option to upgrade to first class
  • On occasion, this tour may operate in reverse of the above itinerary where you will board the afternoon train from Mallaig to Fort William
  • The driver/guide will not join you on the train or during your time in Mallaig
  • Train tickets are allocated at random and every effort will be made to ensure you sit with your group but this may not always be possible
  • The train company allocates train tickets and we cannot choose any preferred seating or side of the train
  • Stopping at Glenfinnan is subject to parking

Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.6 /5

based on 632 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    4.7/5
  • Transportation
    4.7/5
  • Value for money
    4.3/5

Customer photos

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J
Jacqui – United KingdomJune 7, 2025 – Verified booking
It was a brilliant mix of Scottish history places of interest and Harry Potter theme with many of the inspirations for JKR and also places of filming. Watching the steam train at Glenfinnan and then riding it from Mallaig was the icing on the cake. Plus also the visit to Hamish and Honey the hairy coos. Our guide Ian was fantastic
J
Janet – CanadaJune 2, 2025 – Verified booking
Unforgettable Highland Adventure! Our bus tour through the Scottish Highlands and ride on the Jacobite Steam Train was absolutely amazing. The views were stunning—truly postcard-perfect at every turn. Our guide was fantastic: funny, informative, and incredibly kind, which made the experience even more enjoyable. Surprisingly, the bus ride was almost better than the train ride—both offered unique and breathtaking perspectives of the landscape. This tour exceeded our expectations and we would highly recommend it to anyone visiting Scotland!
S
Sam – United KingdomMay 26, 2025 – Verified booking
Ian, the guide and coach driver, took us on the tour. He was super knowledgeable and obviously genuinely interested and enthusiastic about everything he showed us. It was a long day (13+ hours) but it felt like a breeze thanks to Ian. Could have seen many of the sights in a car, but wouldn't have had a clue what we were looking at. Facts and info ranged from medieval/prehistoric Scottish/British history, to filming locations of contemporary films (James Bond, Braveheart, Harry Potter, etc) and more, all done in an engaging, humorous, and fun way. Food and drinks were provided from the off, and plenty of stops available for toilet breaks and coffees. Ian always made sure to let us know what times we should be where, and everything went down well because of this. The only negative is that the train was not a steam train (the Hogwarts Express), because recent wildfires meant this was not possible, but an electric substitute was better than nothing. Easily recommend, thanks Ian.

Product ID: 121671

Activity provider:Gray Line Scotland

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