Glenaladale Cruise: Great for wizard spotting

Discover Harry Potter film locations, historic monuments, and wildlife on the Glenaladale Cruise. Spot Golden eagles, red deer, and enjoy a well-stocked bar.

Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Glenfinnan Viaduct - Watch the Jacobite Express or as its better known these days: “Hogwarts Express” crossing the famous viaduct from the comfort of our classic boat. Listen out for the whistle blows! Our guide will tell you about the viaduct, the history and a little about Mr Potter and his friends if you don’t already know!
  • Glenfinnan Monument - See the Glenfinnan Monument from the waterside whilst hearing about why it is there and learning about the historically significant event it commemorates.
  • St. Mary & Saint Finnan Catholic Church - See the church from the water, learn about its history and the steeple that never made it to the top of the church!
What's Included
  • On-board restrooms
Additional Information

Cruise through history and modern culture all at the same time! Harry Potter and historic monuments, you will learn about them both. Loch Shiel has featured in many films, Highlander in the 80s and now Harry Potter has brought it worldwide fame. This cruise can also be great for spotting Golden eagles up above the mountains, red deer on the hill sides and other water birds such as the Black Throated Diver (Loon).

Glenaladale is a beautiful glen, secluded from the busy world. It is an area famous for being a home of the MacDonald clan, for centuries the MacDonalds worked the land and lived here but later were forced to leave for new starts further afield. The glen still attracts people visiting the home of their ancestors from all over the world.

There is a toilet on board and a well stocked bar with malt whiskies as well as a good selection of wine, spirits, soft drinks, snacks and hot drinks.

Please park at the main Glenfinnan car park and walk down to the jetty if possible.

Location
Loch Shiel Cruises
Parking at Glenfinnan House Hotel, then a short walk past the hotel's front door along a shoreside path to the jetty. People with low mobility can be dropped directly at the jetty and the car parked back at the hotel.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.8
(52 Ratings)
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Bridget_s
Jun 26, 2024
Must do! - Best tour ever! We were so sad we couldn’t get tickets to the Jacobite train and did this tour just to see the train pass by! We saw it pass by and it was amazing. It was at a distance but still close enough to enjoy the view. As we passed by we saw huge crowds by the viaduct standing there trying to take pictures, at that moment I was thankful only 8 of us were on board enjoying a much better view. I guess to each its own. What really blew me away is that we cruised for about an hour into the water and we saw Harry Potter filming spots and other historic spots and the captain was able to explain with great detail. He offered hot drinks, whisky, blankets and binoculars to enjoy the wild life. We toured back for another hour and it was just mesmerizing to see Scotland for what it is! Highly recommend!!!!!
Review provided by Viator
Alexdp8635zp
Jun 20, 2024
Great experience - Bought as a gift for family, they loved the tour and the company were very accommodating. Definitely recommend for a day trip
Review provided by Tripadvisor
94anilj
May 31, 2024
Amazing views - Lovely trip with amazing views and knowledgeable guides Ali and Stuart. Hot drinks, blankets and binoculars welcome. Very relaxing
Review provided by Tripadvisor
963suzied
May 19, 2024
Go on this tranquil journey from Glenfinnan! - Excellent tour with Captain Alli! We saw the Jacobite Train cross the Aquaduct and had details about the area throughout the trip. He also shared beautiful photos of eagles and other wildlife on the river. It was a beautiful day and a lovely, tranquil ride.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Bev_t
Aug 28, 2023
Fantastic experience - Friendly and knowledgable crew. Binoculars provided. Blankets and waterproofs were available if needed. .
Review provided by Viator
Kevin
Aug 10, 2023
Excellent - Absolutely brilliant friendly and informative and what amazing views would highly recommend given this trip a go . We parked at the hotel car park and its a 5 minute walk and we were given a friendly reception and the 2 hours fly by
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Gabriel_s
Jul 1, 2024
Good weather or not, you will have a good journey - The crew members are very entertaining. Despite the terrible weather we had a good time. They are very on time
Review provided by Viator
Veronicacz4813zu
Sep 1, 2023
Fantastic experience, well worth it. - Very good experience. The guide was very kind and come back for us because we were late 2 minutes. We had fantastic weather and lucky enough to spot deer and gold eagle. Well worth it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
T
Aug 21, 2023
Boat ride for viewing wildlife is a hit or miss. Be on time for the train. - We were running late so called in advance to let them know. They were understanding and friendly on the phone. Was told that they must leave 10.40 sharp as they will miss the Harry Potter steam train otherwise. I wasn't aware of this so don't make the same mistake. Give yourself ample time to get there well before time. Nevertheless, Ali, our captain, kindly came back for us and allowed us to come on board. The boat ride itself was okay. We weren't so lucky with the wildlife. All we saw were some cows on the waterside. No red deers or eagles. Quite disappointing really. Just our luck I guess. There were binoculars and blankets available which was great. Commentary was informative. We still managed to see the train by going to view it from the viaduct. This was only a short walk away. Made up for missing it on the boat ride.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Quest07538220825
Oct 20, 2023
Let down - First off don't be fooled by the pictures showing the Jacobite train going over the viaduct. It's either been enlarged or a telescopic lens used. The viaduct is quite a distance from the loch. We booked and paid for this trip a good week before going and wasn't advised that the company would be closing for the season on the 11/10/23. We arrived at the meeting place before time, it's a good walk from the car park, took us about 7 - 10 mins as there was no signs of the hotel we needed to find, where we were told by another party that there was a delay of 20 minutes. After half an hour a man from one of the nearby houses asked if we were waiting to go on the trip, we said yes and had been waiting a while. He kindly offered to phone the guy who was supposed to be running the trip. He came back after 10 mins. approximately to say that the trip was cancelled due to the operator closing down for the season the day before 11/10/23. If it hadn't been for this person making a phone call I doubt the operator would have advised any of us the trip had been cancelled. After contacting Tripadviser our refund was quickly dealt with, within a few days
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
September 2024
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