The Jacobite Highlander - 2 day tour
The Jacobite Highlander
2 day / 1 night tour
Discover the beauty of the Cairngorm National Park and visit evocative Culloden Moor. Enjoy a drive along the banks of mysterious Loch Ness to stay in delightful Fort Augustus. The main event is an unforgettable trip along the World famous West Highland Railway Line on the Jacobite steam train, the real life Hogwarts Express! End the journey by visiting brooding Glen Coe and remote Rannoch Moor.
Cairngorms National Park - experience the breathtaking sights and soaring peaks
Culloden Moor - discover the story behind Bonnie Prince Charlie and the last battle fought in Britain
Loch Ness - tour the entire length of Scotland’s most famous loch
Jacobite Steam Train - enjoy a thrilling return journey aboard the real Hogwarts Express!
Glen Coe - visit the natural wonder of the “weeping” glen
Movie locations - Harry Potter, A Lonely Place to Die and Skyfall
Guest House accommodation included
Full Tour Itinerary
Select Day:
Day 1 - Edinburgh - Dunkeld - Loch Ness
Departing from Edinburgh we make our way to Bonnie Perthshire, a land of scenic valleys, remote glens, rushing rivers and peaceful lochs. We will make a stop amidst this wonderful scenery when we visit Dunkeld. After time for morning coffee why not visit the attractive cathedral ruins, which sit on the banks of the River Tay?
A short drive will take us to The Hermitage, one of the most picturesque landscapes in Scotland. Here we have a relaxing walk through spectacularly large Douglas Firs to an amazing folly, Ossian's Hall, that overlooks the pretty Black Linn waterfall.
There are fine views of Blair Castle, the seat of the Dukes of Atholl – the only man allowed to have their own private army, The Atholl Highlanders. Wild mountain vistas surround us as we start our ascent of the Drumochter Pass, the main route into the Highlands since the earliest of times.
The Cairngorms National Park is an area of stunning natural beauty, as we will discover. As we journey through the Spey Valley the Cairngorm Mountains, which rise to over 4000 feet, provide a striking backdrop.
Desolate Culloden Moor was the site of the last battle ever fought on British soil. The Jacobite troops of Bonnie Prince Charlie and the British Army under the command of the Duke of Cumberland clashed here in 1746. The Jacobites were routed in a bloody battle and the aftermath changed Highland life forever. We'll make a stop so that you can discover more about the battle and the dramatic consequences that followed at the award-winning visitor centre.
A short drive will take us to Inverness, the Capital of the Highlands, and then along the banks of mysterious Loch Ness to our overnight accommodation.
Overnight: Fort Augustus
Day 2 - Loch Ness - Jacobite Steam Train - Edinburgh
After a hearty breakfast, we make the short drive to Fort William where we board the Jacobite Steam Train for an unforgettable journey on the famed West Highland Line to Mallaig. This is one of the World's great train journeys and it will take you past Britain's highest mountain, deepest loch, shortest river and most westerly station. You'll cross the famous Glenfinnan viaduct, featured in the Harry Potter films, and see the monument to Bonnie Prince Charlie who raised his standard here at the start of the 1745 Jacobite uprising. There’s time for lunch in Mallaig before we return to Fort William by coach.
Please note, the journey on the Jacobite Steam Train may be from Mallaig to Fort William on some tour departures.
The outstanding beauty of Glen Coe belies the tragic tale that we'll hear next. Gather round as our guide takes us back to 1692 and tells the story of the Massacre of Glen Coe when Campbell soldiers slaughtered 40 MacDonalds who had been their hosts. This infamous deed remains controversial to this very day.
All too soon Glen Coe is left behind and we travel over remote and barren Rannoch Moor. This unspoilt landscape extends over 50 square miles and is one of the most unspoilt areas in Europe. Our descent of the "Black Mount" provides excellent views over Loch Tulla before we make a stop in the little Highland village of Tyndrum.
The final part of our journey together will take us through Rob Roy McGregor country to the bonnie little village of Strathyre. At the Pass of Leny, we return to the Lowlands once more and make our way to Stirling where we join the motorway bound for Edinburgh.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I expect on this Signature Multi-Day Tour
For the discerning traveller a Signature Multi-day Tour offers amazing value for money, comfortable accommodation, well-paced sightseeing and luxury travel.
All of this combines to create the definitive Scottish experience.
Each tour is hosted by a professional driver/guide, who has been chosen for their extensive knowledge as well as their driving skills. And being locals you are sure to get that extra insight too.
If you should have any problems during your stay, they’ll go out of their way to help.
You will want to see as much as possible, but you don’t want to be rushed. Our tours are carefully planned to strike the right balance, and as well as comfortable mini/midicoach travel many feature memorable railway or ferry journeys.
Having somewhere pleasant to stay after an exciting day of discovery is an important part of your holiday experience. Comfortable guest house accommodation with en-suite bathrooms, tv and other amenities is included in the price of all tours.
On many tours you can choose to upgrade to hotel accommodation, at extra cost, if you wish.
A tasty Scottish breakfast is included each morning of your stay.
Can you tell me more about the optional extras on this tour?
To give you complete choice admission fees are not included in the cost of this tour. The tour itinerary has been carefully designed to provide sufficient time for you to visit these attractions:
If you click on the links above they will provide you with more information on each attraction including current admission prices. In some cases a special discount is offered to tour passengers, your driver/guide will provide details if this applies.
Please note that credit/debit cards are not always accepted so it is recommended that you carry sufficient cash with you should you want to make a visit.
What is the journey on the Jacobite Steam Train like?
Described as one of the great railway journeys of the world this memorable trip will take you past a list of impressive extremes.
Starting near the highest mountain in Britain, Ben Nevis, it visits Britain’s most westerly mainland railway station, Arisaig; passes close by the deepest freshwater loch in Britain, Loch Morar and the shortest river in Britain, River Morar, finally arriving next to the deepest seawater loch in Europe, Loch Nevis!
The train will cross the 21-arched Glenfinnan viaduct (a location made famous in the Harry Potter films) which overlooks Loch Shiel and the Jacobite monument. The train may pause on the viaduct, time permitting, to allow you to take in the magnificent view.
Standard class tickets are included in the cost of the tour. Unfortunately, it’s not possible to upgrade these tickets to First Class.
Can I upgrade my Jacobite Steam Train journey to First Class?
The tickets allocated for the tour are in standard class. Unfortunately, it’s not possible to reserve specific seats or upgrade tickets to First Class.
What meals are included ?
A full Scottish breakfast is included from day 2 onwards.
This hearty meal can consist of fruit juice; a choice of cereal; bakery basket; cooked items such as eggs, bacon, sausage, mushrooms, tomato and, maybe, a taste of haggis! plus tea or coffee. Vegetarian and vegan options are always available.
Lunch and dinner are not included in the price.
During the touring day there will be a stop where you can enjoy lunch in a local pub or restaurant. Your driver/guide will be happy to suggest a conveniently located restaurant where you can enjoy good food for dinner.
Inclusions
Accommodation
- 1 night guest house accommodation
- Location: Loch Ness
Meals
- Scottish/Continental breakfast (1)
Visits, Admissions and Experiences
- One-way Jacobite Steam Train trip with reserved seats on the West Highland Railway Line
- Excursions as detailed in itinerary
Tour Essentials
- Transportation by air-conditioned midicoach
- Live commentary in English
- Services of a driver/guide
- Service charges and taxes
Exclusions
- Admission charges
- Meals, snacks or items of a personal nature
- Gratuity to your driver/guide
Departure information
From 1 Parliament Square
Royal Mile/High Street
Edinburgh EH1 1RE
Check-in: 08:45 hrs
Tour Departs: 09:00 hrs
Tour Returns: 20:00 hrs
Child details
We are sorry but concession prices are not available on this tour.
Price Notes
Accommodation
The price of this tour includes guest house accommodation with en-suite bathroom.
Luggage Allowance
One medium sized suitcase/bag per person (maximum weight: 15 kilos)
Admission Prices
To give you maximum flexibility, admission fees are not included in the cost of this tour.
FAQs
Please see the FAQ section for more information on this tour.
Product code
HEX 00003
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Customer Reviews Overall Rating:
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Rating:(5 /5) 23 Sep 2024
Very happy with all aspects of your tour from itinerary to accommodation.
Maureen from Bendigo, Australia
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Rating:(5 /5) 09 Sep 2024
The biggest benefits of the tour were seeing the sites in the country without having to drive/navigate, while having the explanation what we were seeing. Thanks so much Keith and Jason!
Keith from Pine Grove, Nova Scotia, CA
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Rating:(5 /5) 29 Aug 2024
We went all over the UK this vacation- seeing many different cities and amazing sites. But my daughter’s favorite was watching the Jacobite Steam Train move along the Glenfinnan Viaduct! This trip was breathtaking in the views of the Highlands and had wonderful storytelling!
jennifer from Chapel Hill, US