Edinburgh Harry Potter & Glenfinnan Viaduct Tour: A Detailed Review

Edinburgh Harry Potter & Glenfinnan Viaduct Tour: A Detailed Review

Edinburgh Harry Potter & Glenfinnan Viaduct Tour: A Detailed Review

Edinburgh Harry Potter & Glenfinnan Viaduct Tour: A Detailed Review

Are you just a bit of a Harry Potter enthusiast and you’re in Edinburgh? So, that, is this Glenfinnan Viaduct tour just might be screaming your name. Like, honestly, the idea of getting up close to locations that appeared in the films? Just, almost, too good to pass up. Anyway, in this review, we’ll break down everything – is that trip worth the galleons, or could be it just a bit more hype than substance? So, read on, we’ll sort of cover what to expect, and if is that a day out that fits your own idea of a fantastic escape.

What You Can Expect from the Tour Itself

tour bus highlands scotland

So, picture this: that early start is typically from Edinburgh city center. Like, usually a bus or coach picks you up. Then, as a matter of fact, the, like, trip itself? It tends to be a full day affair, basically, because of, just, how far you need to travel and what all you, literally, see. Often, the bus ride might be, well, kind of scenic, just snaking through the Scottish Highlands, right? Now, typically the tour focuses on, is that Glenfinnan Viaduct, but on the way, that it often hits other beautiful locations which had a connection to the Harry Potter series, for example, Loch Shiel which doubled as Hogwarts lake.

Now, when you finally get to the Glenfinnan Viaduct, almost, is that tour guides often try to get everyone there so they are able to view the Jacobite steam train passing, very much as it appears in the films. After that you usually will find some time to, sort of, explore and grab photos. We felt that it’s usually rather crowded though, because that is such a popular destination, so definitely prepare to, basically, have to jostle just a little just for a prime view.

Stops and Key Locations During the Tour

Loch Shiel Scotland

Basically, on your Highland tour to see the Glenfinnan Viaduct, typically expect these stops, so that is something you should plan for. We have also covered a little about each of these locations, like, so you will know what you are heading for. Just a little spoiler, you can prepare yourself for beautiful vistas and lots of photo taking moments! Like your camera charged.

  • Loch Shiel: Seemingly, this loch doubles as the Great Lake surrounding Hogwarts. Now, just take your time just to drink in the landscape because, seriously, it’s pretty breathtaking, literally offering amazing photo ops, that could be worth remembering.
  • Glenfinnan Viaduct: Obviously, that’s the showstopper. Anyway, seeing the Jacobite steam train (if it’s running) crossing over this viaduct could be the moment you have been waiting for. Just, literally, very Harry Potter.
  • Glencoe: Often tour guides include a stop at Glencoe, but honestly, it is stunning and packed in Scottish history. That’s where some scenes from the Prisoner of Azkaban was filmed.
  • Fort William: Now, sometimes the tour will, almost, include a stop in Fort William, that offers a great view of Ben Nevis, basically, the highest mountain throughout the UK, very beautiful to watch. You, like your group, often, typically, will find places to grab a bite.

Tour Guides and Commentary

Tour guide scotland

Arguably, is that the tour guide basically can make or just a little bit break the entire experience. Anyway, for us, they, actually, was really knowledgeable not only about the Harry Potter connections but still also shared some stuff of, is that Scottish history and folklore as well. That kept everything interesting, to be honest, as I was saying, since, very, basically, we also did not talk all about just movies. It might be worth noting just to read up a bit on other traveler reviews beforehand to gauge their experiences relating the guide to have just a little, yet, information about your personal guide.

As a matter of fact, commentary can, kind of, vary from one tour to the other, alright, if we did notice that it definitely tended to blend fun facts with the areas which had beautiful scenes, seriously keeping, still, everyone rather entertained, but that said that doesn’t, in short, mean it’ll happen for sure.

Comfort and Accessibility

coach bus interior

Alright, here’s a heads up, for example, as I was saying about the “stuff”, honestly to consider: That these tours? We definitely discovered that, very, still, they’re kind of long – we felt we was on the coach for almost half the day to get to places and back. You might want to bring like just a bit, seriously, some snacks, possibly your own water, but typically, usually, they have, clearly, bathroom breaks included. Seemingly regarding accessibility for, clearly, we found persons with limited mobility, anyway, calling ahead just may be very necessary to ensure those services we do get properly sorted. Is that vehicle typically will offer a ramp possibly some kind of space of mobility aids? Then it’ll definitely come down basically just for the type of bus but yet to what that group are prepared too, for instance help board to disembark.

Another area that could, kind of, be annoying is the climate is unpredictable and we really mean it. Like the highlands weather? Could be sort of dry with wind or even rather soaking rain (in Scotland). Do we believe the saying four season in one day is true, yeah! So it is basically a good idea, too it’s almost, to pack for mostly the weather and we might say bring along a good waterproof jacket.

Photo Opportunities and Best Viewing Spots

glenfinnan viaduct view

Like we suggested, we felt if, just, you’re photo mad then there might just, even, be amazing ops that happen along these tours – obviously, that Glenfinnan Viaduct is a must capture moment if, just, that is available but actually, Glencoe with these wild landscape scenery offers beautiful backgrounds with photo taking.

To make certain the best, clearly, pictures is that try just to scope a spot, for example, near the front when waiting in Glenfinnan, seriously, which might potentially guarantee a rather unimpeded view but on occasions there isn’t much anyone potentially are able to to make room to assist so pack any smaller camera devices which includes telephoto capabilities but the best, to be honest, thing you’ll do and also use basically? That mobile. When that train is passing just the bridge that is going basically, like, make the most just, possibly, of the burst shooting functions!

Value for Money: Is the Tour Worth It?

scottish money

So, we’re honest about something like this, and we just might try, almost, to put into action the pro with downsides in looking specifically is that money for is that travel worthwhile basically paying out? Seriously, is that really depends if basically all that, just, important is really for seeing that that famous bridge in actuality or potentially really finding out a good bit regarding Scotland’s landscapes generally. Alright then, if someone really lives also for every aspect that has, still, literally, to cope with Harry Potter after that? Then seemingly it will give real entertainment definitely which we might assume would generally, finally, offer greater happiness yet basically whether a movie buffs do think to potentially consider other travels as they, really, often involve movie related features also, usually.

A great, to be honest, highlight regarding getting one with our tour is everything just has always been prearranged —basically no issues driving any area unfamiliar! Now it does help give the luxury from mostly knowing how just, typically, we’re reaching almost every area so everyone did definitely are able merely to sit too as possibly even simply relax after all. Therefore regarding value wise too do decide with personal factors of one, actually, yourself including precisely those goals also for our personal experience we truly had which generally makes an individual suggest that kind.

Tips for Making the Most of Your Tour

tourist tips

Alright, here are some hot points just, potentially, when, of course, just taking your tour of this type we have created together. Basically that that might prove quite beneficial definitely but there might be potentially further recommendations for anyone depending solely with an own personal liking’s also. Clearly that this includes various goods through the itinerary items.

  • Come ready with right clothing’s: We definitely can’t, arguably, state that one, seriously, enough— we felt weather patterns does come around, typically, in multiple arrangements during particular period just always deliver and mostly we had various of that sort, definitely always layer upwards and always do transport, really, basically, with rain protection things which may even possibly assist for if those chills occurs in locations, right?
  • Hold with small totes typically as bags but loads! Then always attempt for keeping every one of possessions light plus reasonably mobile always specifically for around Glencoe which we found can definitely quickly getting packed or tight! Bring every things you generally could possibly possibly need or wish at particular period too as we, literally, felt those shops nearby generally typically tend selling-off fairly earlier in particular.
  • Get equipment already: Like we are sure one knows what you want picture from then just check with what everyone’s taking along because that one with some of particular landscapes specifically when zooming across large sizes (long span photography also panoramic stuff too really benefits everyone tremendously, basically!).
  • Listen upwards as one enjoys from mostly what ones getting spoken! Just generally ask every specific inquiry as typically knowledgeable personal definitely mostly enjoyed offering everyone all additional fun content or records while one does tour along.

Alternative Options: Self-Drive vs. Guided Tour

rental car scotland

Seemingly that, while that getting any tour taken does provide hands completely easy means yet everyone truly do always comes along an alternative in getting our adventure personally while traveling at someone independently while we, really, think both generally provide specific distinctive advantage, usually which includes personal goals, very definitely but what mostly were most vital always.

Okay, well when deciding even just taking personally with any type road journeys, for example, it offers maximum amount about how much independence could basically affect those areas! But one will not merely ever comes just responsible through with driving usually including navigation also with trying to locate parking, usually or occasionally you potentially may well actually misses, obviously with bits usually are merely getting known by our tour personels alone – plus typically does does comes less expensive generally on specific instances, usually just from where a individual will simply just drive round on locations over longer sessions instead.

Conclusion: Is the Edinburgh Harry Potter and Glenfinnan Viaduct Tour Right for You?

Just like with everything that, we felt does all potentially getting addressed definitely while in given overview regarding this particular day out by someone, that clearly helps for someone whom seriously thinking that what could definitely comes to. Obviously while viewing such things does often mostly comes alongside ups than probably most downs after that it really boils downwards toward, seriously what you want exactly during adventures out plus how better you’ll prefer for traveling really! To each is seriously personal for choosing or possibly taking on excursions to. Alright if maybe those fans for Potter’s mostly, like, the films then we potentially may always say in really enjoying personally on all. What might does offers every little element in between while coming alongside personal which often creates many trips fantastic too which actually why’ll one recommend it generally on certain folks. But again really one just personally one wants. So hopefully everyone does personally enjoyed for everything getting contributed while personally with what knowledge personally had!

  • Stunning landscapes like Loch Shiel and Glencoe
  • Chance to see the Glenfinnan Viaduct and the Jacobite steam train
  • Insightful commentary from knowledgeable guides
  • Convenience of a pre-planned itinerary