Glenfinnan Viaduct, Fort William and Glencoe Day Trip Glasgow

The Glenfinnan Viaduct

The Glenfinnan Viaduct is a curving concrete railway viaduct, built at the end of the nineteenth century, that carries the line to Mallaig across the head of the glen on a long row of arches. It is one of the most photographed railway structures in Britain, and many travellers search for a Glenfinnan Viaduct tour from Glasgow because the view from the hillside path is so striking.

The tour spends time at the viaduct so that you can walk to the viewpoint and take photographs. In summer, the heritage steam train usually crosses at set times, but this tour does not board the train, and running dates and timetables are controlled by the train operator. Check the operator's timetable if you want to plan around it.

Glenfinnan Monument and Loch Shiel

Beside the viaduct, the Glenfinnan Monument stands on the shore of Loch Shiel, a long, narrow loch surrounded by mountains. It marks the place where Prince Charles Edward Stuart raised his standard in 1745, the start of the Jacobite uprising. The tour spends around one hour in the area, which is enough to learn the history from your guide and photograph the monument, the loch and the bridge together.

Is Glenfinnan worth visiting? Many people say it is among the most beautiful spots in the Highlands, particularly in calm weather when the mountains reflect on the water. The Glenfinnan stop is the main attraction of the tour.

Glencoe, the famous Highland glen

Early in the day the coach travels through Tyndrum and into Glencoe, a steep-sided valley of waterfalls, ridges and heather. The glen was the site of the 1692 massacre of the MacDonald clan, and your guide tells the story while you look up at the mountains. There is a photo stop so you can take in the scale.

Glencoe is one of the most popular day trips from Glasgow, and this tour combines it with the viaduct in one day. Weather can change in minutes, so bring layers and a waterproof. A day trip to Glencoe is rewarding even on a misty day.

Fort William and Ben Nevis

Fort William is the main town of the west Highlands, on the shore of Loch Linnhe. Our tour stops here for lunch, which is not included, giving you free time to choose a café or restaurant, browse the shops or walk beside the water. Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Britain, rises just outside the town.

A Fort William day trip from Glasgow shows the heart of the Highlands without the effort of driving. After lunch the coach heads west to Glenfinnan. On the return journey you cross the Caledonian Canal and pass Neptune's Staircase, a flight of locks that lifts boats towards the Great Glen.

Neptune's Staircase and the return via Loch Lomond

On the way back the coach passes Neptune's Staircase, a series of locks on the Caledonian Canal near Banavie, an impressive piece of Scottish engineering that links the west and east coasts through the Great Glen. It is a short viewing moment but one that surprises many guests.

The final break is at Tarbet on the shore of Loch Lomond, where you can use the facilities and stretch your legs before the last hour to Glasgow. The whole tour lasts about eleven and a half hours, with a lot of time on the coach, so the live commentary and the scenery are an important part of the day. There is no toilet on board.