Glenfinnan, Glencoe & Hairy Coos Day Tour from Edinburgh — Viaducts, Jacobites & Highland Cows
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
11 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for most fitness levels but expect long periods on a coach with short, uneven walks at stops; be prepared to stand and walk on muddy ground.
Overview
Spend a long day from Edinburgh traversing glens, lochs and cinematic viaducts—visit Glencoe’s dramatic peaks, peer across Loch Shiel at the Glenfinnan Viaduct, and meet the iconic Highland cows. This tour blends geology, Jacobite history and pop-culture landmarks with practical stops in Fort William.
Glenfinnan, Glencoe & Hairy Coos Day Tour from Edinburgh — Viaducts, Jacobites & Highland Cows
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A coach pulls out of Edinburgh before dawn and the city’s granite cools into countryside—fields blur, lochs widen, and the road edges toward mountains. By mid-morning the bus snakes across Rannoch Moor, a black, peat-stung plain that seems to hold its weather like a secret. When the van curls into Glencoe the mountains loom: steep basalt ribs that the wind speaks through, and the valley itself feels rehearsed for drama.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Time your photos for the steam train
If seeing the Jacobite Steam Train is a priority, book between May and September and position yourself at the Glenfinnan viewpoint early in the stop window; its operation is seasonal and not guaranteed.
Dress in quick layers
Weather changes fast—wear breathable base layers plus a waterproof outer shell to stay comfortable during wind or rain squalls.
Mind the cattle
Admire Highland cows from a distance and avoid approaching or feeding them; mothers can be protective.
Bring small change for local cafes
Lunch and coffee stops in Fort William offer local fare—carry a card and some cash for smaller shops and tipping.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Red deer
- Golden eagle
History
The route passes sites tied to the 1745 Jacobite Uprising and the 1692 Massacre of Glencoe; these events shaped Highland culture and are marked at monuments and old settlements.
Conservation
Peatlands here store carbon and are fragile—stick to marked paths and avoid trampling boggy vegetation; respect grazing animals and private land.
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Adventure Hotspots in Edinburgh
Recommended Gear
Waterproof shell jacket
Blocks driving rain and wind that can appear suddenly on the moors.
Sturdy walking shoes or boots
Provides grip on muddy trails and rocky viewpoints around Glencoe and Glenfinnan.
Binoculars
Helps spot raptors, red deer and details on distant shorelines.
Camera with telephoto lens or a smartphone with zoom
Captures the viaduct, distant peaks and close-up shots of the Highland cows.