Jacobite Steam Train and Glenfinnan Highlands Tour from Inverness

4.4 (1,069 reviews) from travellers who booked this experience

Duration12.5 hours
Seasonal, roughly April to October
Group

Jacobite Steam Train and Glenfinnan Highlands Tour from Inverness

5.0 on Google

Fair, honest prices
Real people, not bots
Confirm, then pay
Secure payment

Overview

This long Highlands day tour from Inverness is first a coach tour, with one steam train ride added. You drive along Loch Ness, stop at the Commando Memorial with views of Ben Nevis, then board the Jacobite Steam Train at Fort William for the scenic ride to the fishing port of Mallaig, passing Glenfinnan. A local guide travels with you. The single train ticket and guide are included; meals and hotel pickup are not. It suits rail fans and photographers.

Highlights

Single ticket on the Jacobite Steam Train from Fort William to Mallaig, about an hour and three-quarters on the train
Scenery of Glenfinnan, Loch Shiel and the West Highland railway line
Time in Mallaig, a working fishing port, for seafood and sea views
Commando Memorial viewpoint over the Nevis range and Ben Nevis
Photo stops at Urquhart Castle, Fort Augustus, Suidhe Viewpoint and Dores Beach
Local Scottish guide with live commentary
Return transport from central Inverness included

Full Description

The Jacobite Steam Train from Fort William to Mallaig

The Jacobite Steam Train is a seasonal heritage steam service on the West Highland Line between Fort William and Mallaig, and many travellers look for a Jacobite steam train tour from Inverness for exactly this reason. The journey of about an hour and three-quarters crosses moor, lochs and the sea coast, with old-fashioned carriages and a steam locomotive that makes the ride a highlight of the trip.

On this tour the single ticket covers the ride from Fort William to Mallaig, and the coach meets you at the other end. Because the train is run by an independent operator, the timetable and operating dates can change at short notice, and the tour programme can be adjusted if needed. The train usually runs from spring to autumn, so check the date in the booking panel.

Glenfinnan, Loch Shiel and the Viaduct

Glenfinnan is a small village at the head of Loch Shiel and one of the most photographed places in Scotland. The Glenfinnan Monument, a tower beside the loch, marks the spot where Prince Charles Edward Stuart raised his standard in 1745 at the start of the Jacobite rising. The nearby viaduct, built at the end of the nineteenth century, curves across the glen on a long row of arches.

As the steam train crosses the viaduct, you see it from the carriage, with views of the loch and the hills. Stopping at Glenfinnan with the coach depends on availability, so the viaduct is guaranteed from the train rather than as a separate stop.

Mallaig and the Road to the Isles

Mallaig is a fishing port at the end of the railway, with a harbour, ferries to Skye and the Small Isles, and an array of seafood cafés. On this tour you have a generous break here, around two hours, to eat at your own expense, watch boats in the harbour or walk along the shore with views of Skye.

The coach then follows the Road to the Isles, a scenic route of white sand beaches, small lochs and mountains, by way of Corpach near Fort William. The area is often busy in summer, so the guide plans the day to keep the timings relaxed.

Loch Ness, Commando Memorial and Fort Augustus

The first stops on the day are along Loch Ness, where the coach pauses above the ruins of Urquhart Castle for photographs and then continues to the Commando Memorial near Spean Bridge. The bronze memorial to the Commandos of the Second World War faces the Nevis range, and the view of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Britain, is the main attraction.

The return passes Fort Augustus on the Caledonian Canal, the Suidhe Viewpoint over Loch Ness and Dores Beach, so you cover both sides of the Great Glen in one day. The tour is long, about twelve and a half hours, so snacks and a charged phone help.

Itinerary

Meet in central InvernessMeet your guide at the meeting point shown on your voucher; the coach leaves at 7:30 AM (on some dates the programme runs in reverse from 9:30 AM).
Urquhart Castle photo stopA short stop above the castle ruins on Loch Ness.
Commando MemorialA photo stop with views of the Nevis range.
Fort WilliamBoard the Jacobite Steam Train for the ride to Mallaig, about an hour and three-quarters.
MallaigAbout two hours for lunch and free time in the fishing port.
Road to the Isles and CorpachCoach return along the scenic coast road, around fifty minutes.
Fort AugustusA short break and free time by the Caledonian Canal.
Suidhe Viewpoint and Dores BeachFinal photo stops on Loch Ness, then the coach drive back to Inverness.

What's included

Jacobite Steam Train ride (single ticket from Fort William to Mallaig)
Local guide
Return transport from central Inverness

Not included

Meals and snacks
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Tips (optional)

Is this right for you?

Great for

Travellers who want it organised for them — confirmed on WhatsApp before you pay

Think twice if

You prefer short outings — this takes about 12.5 hours
You want a private tour — this one is shared with other travellers

Not suitable for

Children under five years, who cannot travel on this tour
Travellers who need hotel pickup, which is not included
Guests who cannot manage a very long day on the road
Anyone who needs the train to run on a specific date, as service alterations are outside our control

Meeting point

Hotel pickup is not included. You meet your guide at a meeting point in central Inverness, and the exact location is shown on your voucher after booking. The coach leaves at 7:30 AM on most dates, and the programme may run in reverse with a 9:30 AM departure on some days, so check your voucher. Please arrive about fifteen minutes early.

Important information

The minimum age is five years; anyone aged five to seventeen must be accompanied by an adult.
The Jacobite Steam Train ticket is a single ticket from Fort William to Mallaig.
This is first of all a coach tour with a steam train element.
The train is run by an independent operator, and services can be changed or cancelled at short notice.
Stopping at Glenfinnan Viaduct with the coach is subject to availability.
Meals, snacks and tips are not included; bring cash for lunch in Mallaig.
Carry photo ID or a passport if the voucher asks for it.
The order of the itinerary may change; dress for variable weather.

Good to know

Frequently Asked Questions

Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.

How much does the Jacobite Steam Train and Glenfinnan tour cost?

The price depends on the option and the number of travellers. The booking panel on this page shows the current price for each option, adult and child, for the date you choose.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. You meet your guide at a meeting point in central Inverness, and the exact location is on your voucher after booking.

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts about twelve and a half hours, leaving at 7:30 AM on most dates.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Children aged five and over can join, and those aged five to seventeen must be with an adult. Age categories and child prices are shown in the booking panel.

Is the steam train ticket included?

Yes. The default option includes a single ticket on the Jacobite Steam Train from Fort William to Mallaig, with the coach and a local guide.

Does the train run every day?

No. The Jacobite is a seasonal service and the operator can change timetables, so choose your date in the booking panel and check availability.

What should I wear and bring?

Wear comfortable layers and shoes, and bring a waterproof jacket, a camera and money for lunch in Mallaig.

Can I book the tour for today or tomorrow?

Yes, when seats are available. Choose your date in the booking panel to see whether the departure is open.

Will we see Glenfinnan Viaduct?

You cross it on the train, and the coach stop at the viaduct depends on availability and timing.

What is the best time to ride the Jacobite Steam Train?

Late spring to early autumn, when the train usually runs and the scenery is at its greenest and clearest.