Glasgow: Glen Coe, Jacobite Steam Train & Loch Lomond

Glen Coe & the Jacobite Steam Train in One Day from Glasgow

You spend the morning driving through Loch Lomond, Rannoch Moor, and Glen Coe with a local guide in a climate-controlled coach, then board the Jacobite Steam Train for a two-hour ride through the Highlands. The tour includes transport, the train ticket, and a stop in a fishing port for lunch. Arrive 15 minutes early for check-in, and allow extra time after your scheduled return in case of weather delays.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Parkpassing by
2. Jacobite Steam Train2h · entry included

Explore Highlands and Jacobite Steam Train

• Drive through Loch Lomond & Trossachs
• Traverse Rannoch Moor wilderness
• Stop at Glen Coe for views
• Explore fishing port and eat seafood
• Ride Jacobite Steam Train to Fort William

The experience

Yeah, so you're basically doing the whole Scottish Highlands thing in a single day: Loch Lomond, Rannoch Moor, Glen Coe with those dramatic Three Sisters peaks, and then the actual steam train that doubled as the Hogwarts Express in the films. The drive alone is worth it. Your guide takes you through Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park first, which means you're already seeing proper lochs and mountains before you've had lunch. The air-conditioned coach is a nice touch because you're in a vehicle for a good chunk of the morning, and the windows are big enough that you're not just staring at the back of someone's head.

The Rannoch Moor part is the bit that gets quiet. It's remote, sparse, and honestly a little eerie. Your guide will point out the wildlife if you're lucky, but mostly it's just you watching the landscape get wilder. Then Glen Coe hits different. The Three Sisters are right there, and the valley is so steep and narrow that you feel small in it, which is the whole point. You stop long enough to actually stand in it, not just photograph it from the road. After that you head to a fishing port town for fresh seafood before the train, so you're not boarding hungry.

The Jacobite Steam Train itself is a two-hour ride, and it's the centerpiece of the day. Yes, it's the Hogwarts Express from the films. That's not marketing, that's just what it is. The train is genuinely old, genuinely steam-powered, and genuinely slow, which means you're actually looking at the landscape instead of watching it blur. You get a seat, you get the sound of the engine, and if you're into that kind of thing, it's hard to overstate. The ride is included in the tour price, so you're not paying extra at the station. Your guide stays with the group the whole time, and if you've downloaded the audio guide beforehand (bring headphones), you can layer in more detail about what you're passing, though honestly the guide's live commentary is usually enough.

One thing to know: you need to arrive 15 minutes early for check-in, and the return time is approximate. Weather and road conditions can shift it by an hour or more. If you've got a flight or a connection that evening, build in extra time. Also, kids under five aren't allowed on the train, so that's a hard line. You can bring one suitcase (max 15kg) and a carry-on, which is fine for a day trip but worth knowing if you're juggling luggage.

What’s included

• Your day includes hotel or city pickup in Glasgow, transport in an air-conditioned coach with a passionate local guide, a scenic drive through Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park, stops at Rannoch Moor and Glen Coe, a break in a fishing port town for fresh seafood, and a two-hour ride on the Jacobite Steam Train.
• Foreign language audio guides are available if downloaded in advance.
• You'll return to Glasgow in the evening, though return times can shift depending on weather and road conditions.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 29 Mar 2027

Book up to5h before

AgesAdult (17 to 59 years) · Senior (60 and older) · Child (5 to 16 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupUp to 16

Live guideEnglish

Audio guideSpanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese and Chinese

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by Highland Explorer Tours Ltd

Is this one for you?Book this if you want the West Highlands and the Jacobite Steam Train in a single day without arranging your own transport, train tickets, or timing: the fixed itinerary and included train ride are what make both possible in one departure.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 16 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the full day tour from Glasgow?

The tour runs the full day, departing from Glasgow and returning in the evening. Return times are approximate and can shift by an hour or more depending on road conditions and weather, so plan for flexibility.

Is the Jacobite Steam Train ticket included?

Yes, the two-hour ride on the Jacobite Steam Train is included in the tour price. You cannot upgrade to First Class on this tour.

What's included in the tour?

The tour includes transport in an air-conditioned coach, a local guide, the two-hour Jacobite Steam Train ride, and stops at Glen Coe, Rannoch Moor, and a fishing port town. Audio guides in multiple languages are available if you download them in advance.

Do I need to bring anything?

If you're using an audio guide, bring headphones. Arrive at least 15 minutes early for check-in. You can bring one suitcase (max 15kg) and one carry-on bag.

What if I'm late to the departure point?

The tour cannot be held or refunded for late arrivals. Arrive early to allow time for check-in before departure.

Can the itinerary change?

Yes, the order of stops is subject to change, and the Jacobite Steam Train service may be altered or cancelled at short notice due to circumstances beyond the operator's control.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

No, this tour is not wheelchair accessible.