Private Harry Potter's Trail to Glencoe from Inverness

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

1. Set off into the heart of the Highlands as your journey follows the ancient Great Glen, a spectacular natural corridor cutting through the mountains of Scotland. Over the next 70 minutes or so, we’ll travel from Loch Ness towards Loch Oich, passing the beautiful Loch Lochy along the way as dramatic Highland scenery unfolds around you. We’ll make a brief stop at the Well of the Seven Heads, a fascinating and rather gruesome reminder of the Highland clan feuds that once shaped this region. Here, you’ll hear the dark story behind the name and learn about the brutal consequences of clan warfare in the Highlands. As you travel through the Great Glen, your guide will bring the landscape to life with stories of the clans, battles and people who once called these mountains and glens home. It’s a journey through some of the Highlands’ most beautiful scenery, with a darker side of Highland history waiting to be discovered.

   1.7 h

2. Step into the world of Harry Potter at Glenfinnan, where the iconic Hogwarts Express journey was brought to life on the nearby Glenfinnan Viaduct. We’ll take a lovely hike up to the viewpoint, where we can sit and wait for the Jacobite Steam Train to pass across the famous viaduct, just as the Hogwarts Express did in the films. Another beautiful viewpoint between the Glenfinnan Monument and the viaduct, offers sweeping views across Loch Shiel, the surrounding mountains and the wider Highland landscape. It stretches into the loch that was also used as a filming location for the Black Lake scenes in the Harry Potter films, adding another familiar piece of the wizarding world to your visit. But there’s more to Glenfinnan than its connection to Hogwarts. In 1745, Bonnie Prince Charlie raised his Standard here, marking the beginning of the Jacobite Rising. The Glenfinnan Monument now stands on the shores of Loch Shiel, commemorating the Jacobite clansmen who rallied to his cause.

   2.7 h

3. Tucked away in the beautiful Glenfinnan landscape, St Mary & St Finnan Church is a striking Roman Catholic church built between 1870 and 1872. Designed by architect Edward Welby Pugin, it stands high above Loch Shiel with sweeping views across the water and surrounding mountains. The church is dedicated to Saint Mary and Saint Finnan, whose name is closely connected with Glenfinnan and its early Christian heritage. Its location also places it within the landscape where Bonnie Prince Charlie raised his Standard in 1745. For film fans, there’s another reason to recognise this beautiful Highland church. Its exterior featured in the 2025 blockbuster 28 Years Later, appearing as the church of Jimmy’s father in the film. So alongside Harry Potter and the Jacobite history, Glenfinnan has yet another cinematic connection to discover.

   45 min

4. Welcome to Fort William, the largest town in the Highlands and gateway to some of Scotland’s most spectacular mountain scenery. Sitting beneath Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain, Fort William has long been a favourite base for exploring the rugged landscapes of the West Highlands. Take some time to wander through the town, browse the local shops, stop for a bite to eat or simply soak up the atmosphere. The town has a relaxed Highland character, with plenty of places to pause and enjoy the views. For Harry Potter fans, Fort William is also part of the magic. The famous Jacobite Steam Train departs from nearby, taking the same journey across the Glenfinnan Viaduct that became the route of the Hogwarts Express. Whether you’re here for the scenery, the history, the shops or a little bit of movie magic, Fort William makes a great Highland stop.

   1.8 h

5. Stop at the Glencoe Visitor Centre and take in the dramatic landscape of one of Scotland’s most famous Highland glens. The centre has an exhibition and cinema, café and shop, along with a mountain viewpoint offering panoramic views across the surrounding landscape. Just beyond the viewpoint is the beautifully reconstructed turf and creel house, giving you a glimpse into how people in Glencoe lived more than 300 years ago. There are also walking trails leading from the Visitor Centre into the surrounding woodland and National Nature Reserve. Choose a short wander through the trees or follow the paths further into the glen, with spectacular mountain scenery unfolding along the way. Inside the centre, you can discover more about Glencoe’s geology, wildlife and cultural heritage, including the infamous Massacre of Glencoe in 1692 and the MacDonald connection to the glen. There’s plenty to explore before continuing through this remarkable Highland landscape.

   1 h

6. We arrive at one of Scotland’s must-visit places: Glencoe. Famous for its dramatic mountains, winding streams and breathtaking Highland scenery, this spectacular glen has a fascinating geological past. Believe it or not, Glencoe was formed from the remains of an ancient volcanic complex, created by powerful eruptions more than 400 million years ago. Millions of years of erosion have shaped the dramatic landscape we see today. But beneath its beauty lies one of the darkest chapters in Highland history. In 1692, government soldiers were ordered to kill members of Clan MacDonald of Glencoe. The soldiers, from the Earl of Argyll’s Regiment of Foot and associated with Clan Campbell, had been staying in MacDonald homes before the massacre, adding to the sense of betrayal remembered to this day. Enjoy a hike into the glen or a peaceful stroll beside its rushing streams while taking in the history and scenery around you.

   2 h

7. Heading back along the way, we stop at the Commando Memorial, a striking tribute to the young men who trained here as Commandos during the Second World War. Set among the rugged mountains of Lochaber, the memorial stands overlooking some of the Highlands’ most dramatic scenery. Take a moment to admire the impressive monument before enjoying the sweeping panoramic views across the surrounding mountains towards Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the UK. On a clear day, the views are spectacular, making this a wonderful spot for photos and a memorable stop along the journey.

   1 h

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.

Reviews

Ratings come from 2 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.

Know before you go

How it compares in Inverness

• Its from-price is close to the median of the 173 day trips we list in Inverness.
• It is longer than most of them.
• By number of reviews it ranks 123 of 173.
• The operator lists free cancellation on it.

About Inverness

Inverness is the Highland capital on the River Ness, close to Loch Ness, Culloden battlefield, ancient cairns and the dolphins of the Moray Firth.

Inverness stands where the River Ness meets the Moray Firth, with a red sandstone castle on a bluff above the river and the wooded Ness Islands, linked by footbridges, a short stroll upstream. The city is the capital of the Highlands and the northern end of the Great Glen, the fault valley that runs south-west to Fort William. The Victorian cathedral of St Andrew stands on the river bank.

Top-ranked sights in Inverness: Loch Ness, Fort Augustus, Isle of Skye.

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