1-Day Glenfinnan, Glencoe & Scottish Highlands Tour

We do our best to make it in time to see the Jacobite Steam Train (also sometimes called the Harry Potter train) crossing the Viaduct during the summer season. Please note that the the train runs seasonally and as it is operated independently we have no control over timings or service changes.

For 7AM departures, we aim to see the train on it’s outbound afternoon service. In 2025, the afternoon service is scheduled to depart 7 days a week from May 5th to the September 26th.

Please note that there are planned maintenance works on the tracks between September 1st and September 5th.

Between September 27th and October 24th, this tour departs at 8:30AM so that we can instead see the train cross on the return journey of the morning service.

We always do our very best to stop for a visit of our local, beloved Hairy Coos on our tours! However we cannot guarantee Highland cows, as we are not in control of their movements or placements. Please note that in the winter months (Mid November – April) some farmers decide to move the cows indoors or to other field for the winter so they are unavailable during this period.

As we are quite far north, the amount of daylight varies during the year. This means that we enjoy bright evenings during the summer, but have early sunsets during the winter months. This can of course have an impact on your experience on the road, and is one of the reasons why we use seasonal prices for all our tours.

As an example, we’ve looked at the estimated daylight times in Fort Augustus, to help you understand what to expect.

During spring equinox (mid March):
Sun rises around 6:30am, sets at 6:30pm. It will usually be dark from 7:15pm until 5:45am.

Summer solstice (mid June):
Sun rises around 4:30am, sets at 10.30pm. It will usually be dark/darker* from 11:30pm until 3:15am.
*For a time, at the height of summer, Scotland does not experience astronomical twilight.

Autumn equinox (mid September):
Sun rises around 7:15am, sets at 7.15pm. It will usually be dark from 8:30pm until 5:30am.

Winter solstice (mid December):
Sun rises around 9am, sets at 3.30pm. It will usually be dark from 4:30pm until 8am.

Please note that visibility and light can also be impacted by weather, and that it is best to look at the daylight time and weather forecast for your specific tour date for further details.

We recommend you bring warm and/or waterproof clothing, no matter what the forecast appears to be…Scotland’s weather is very unpredictable! And don’t forget your camera to capture all the lovely scenery and wildlife you’ll encounter on your tour, which you can later share with us online!

While there are no planned hikes or longer walks during the tour, we encourage wearing comfortable and flat footwear.

It doesn’t matter when you are travelling, the weather in Scotland can be incredibly unpredictable and sometimes you can even experience several seasons in one day!

As a result of this, we would always encourage our passengers to wear waterproof shoes and clothing, ensuring they have several removable layers. You are more than welcome to leave jackets/jumpers on the coach during stops if you find that the weather is nice when you are due to get off.

To help you plan ahead of the tour, please feel free to check the weather of some of the destinations for this tour here:

Callander | Glencoe | Glenfinnan | Pitlochry

Food will be available at some of stops on tour, we do encourage that you bring snacks and a cold packed lunch on board. There are often food alternatives suitable to most diets, but options may be limited so if you have dietary restrictions we recommend that you plan ahead.

All of our 1-Day excursions require notice of cancellation at least 24 hours notice prior to your scheduled departure in order to be eligible for a 100% refund. Should you book your tour within this period, your booking will be immediately non-refundable. If you made your booking through an agent site, please contact their customer services for support.

Our tours are very rarely cancelled but should we have to cancel a tour, passengers will be offered multiple alternatives. These may include options such as an alternative tour, alternative date or a full refund for their booking.

You can find further details in our FAQ’s and Terms & Conditions.

Our buses are not wheelchair accessible, but we can store a folding wheelchair or walking frame in the luggage area. Please bear in mind that our team can’t provide physical help getting on or off the bus, so guests should be comfortable doing that on their own or with help from a travel buddy. If you have any special needs or are looking to bring a foldable wheelchair, please let us know before you book!

Entry to the coach is through the front left door using three steps (about 30cm high), with grab handles on both sides. You can find further information on the Accessibility page.

Please note that some stops, like at Glenfinnan, will involve uneven ground and offers optional walks uphill.

You are free to depart the tour early, we only ask that it is at a planned stop as we do cannot offer individual drop-off points.

Please let us know when you are looking to leave the tour, so that we can inform your driver-guide. The easiest way to contact us is by emailing contact@thehairycoo.com.

Feel free to also speak to the guide during the tour, to ensure that they do not report you as missing from the the tour.