Magical Highlands Adventure Tour (option with or without train)

No regrets

Brian, the trip spokesman was very organized. Abby, our driver was spot on. At almost 14 hours, its a long day for sure. It's broken into smaller pieces, so there is plenty of time to stretch your legs, eat or buy gifts. The views from the bus and the train were amazing. For some reason there were hundreds of people waiting to take our picture when we crossed the viaduct on the train. It was a great day, 10 out of 10.

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Amazing views in the Scottish Highlands

Guide was really personal and tried to make sure everyone was taken care of and getting where they needed to go. Great dad jokes!

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Extremely Disappointed

I was extremely disappointed with the Magical Highlands tour and would not recommend it. The Glenfinnan Viaduct was one of the main reasons I booked this specific tour and genuinely one of the things I was most excited to see in Scotland. It is featured prominently in the tour marketing and itinerary, yet we did not stop there at all. We were not even given a brief opportunity to see the viaduct from the coach. I understand that the company states the Glenfinnan stop is subject to parking availability, but that disclaimer does not change how misleading the experience felt. We spent a significant amount of time at other stops, including one where there was very little to see or do, and although some passengers were late returning, we still made additional stops afterward and arrived back early. For such a long and expensive tour, it was incredibly frustrating that one of the most prominently advertised highlights was the part that was completely omitted. I contacted the company afterward and, while they explained their parking and driver-hour limitations, they offered no meaningful resolution or compensation. Their response focused heavily on why they were technically allowed to alter the itinerary rather than acknowledging how disappointing it is for a customer to book a tour largely because of a major advertised attraction and then not even see it.

Response from the operator: We are disappointed to read your review, particularly as we have already responded to your concerns directly on numerous occasions and explained the circumstances surrounding the Glenfinnan stop. It is important to clarify that you did travel over the Glenfinnan Viaduct on the steam train, as part of the train journey included in your tour. The viaduct is featured in our marketing because the train travels across it, providing the experience associated with this iconic location. The additional opportunity to stop at Glenfinnan Visitor Centre to view and photograph the viaduct from the ground is subject to parking availability, as you correctly acknowledge in your review. We operate this tour throughout the spring, summer and autumn seasons and are usually able to make the Glenfinnan Visitor Centre stop. However, parking is extremely limited, tour operators cannot reserve spaces, and there is no formal queuing system or suitable, safe place for coaches to wait until a space becomes available. When parking is unavailable, the driver cannot simply wait indefinitely or stop somewhere unsafe. The possibility of being unable to make this additional coach stop is clearly stated in our tour information before customers book and is reiterated in the reminder email sent before travel. We therefore do not agree that this was a hidden restriction or that the tour was misleadingly advertised. The ground-level stop at Glenfinnan Visitor Centre is not guaranteed, and this is made clear to customers at both stages. Regarding your comments about the other stops and the time spent at them, the itinerary on the day was managed in consideration of passenger delays, the practicalities of each location and the driver's legally regulated driving and working hours. The fact that the tour returned earlier than expected does not mean that the driver could safely or practically have accommodated every stop that was not possible earlier in the day. Decisions must be made based on the circumstances at the time, and, as with all tour operators, itineraries can occasionally change. We recognise that you were disappointed not to have the opportunity to stop at the Visitor Centre and take photographs from the ground. However, the advertised steam train journey took place, and you travelled over the viaduct as part of that experience. The additional coach stop was subject to the parking conditions clearly communicated before your tour. We have taken the time to respond to your concerns directly on several occasions and have explained our position in detail. We take customer feedback seriously, but we also believe it is important to clarify the distinction between the included train journey over the viaduct and the additional coach stop, which cannot be guaranteed. We regret that the experience did not meet your personal expectations, but we stand by the information provided to customers and the operational decisions made on the day.

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Magic

Amazing journey... Bryan was amazing and the bus driver excelent.

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Amazing Day Trip

It was a total great experience. Our guide, Mohammed is very good with his craft, driving and educating us with history. He is entertaining and inspiring as well.

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