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Glenaladale Cruise: Great for wizard spotting
4.8
52 Ratings
Highland Council
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
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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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251fabiano
Sep 2, 2024
Lovely tour of the loch - Amazing veiws of eagles and deer, saw the train over the viaduct. Accompanied with friendly staff with blankets and binoculars provided.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Learj7155xn
Aug 29, 2024
A Wonderful Way To See Glenfinnan Viaduct, the Loch, Wildlife and the Jacobite Train! - This was an absolutely wonderful cruise! We didn't have much time, so we did the one hour 12:45-1:45 cruise and it was SUCH a good time! The weather wasn't great- about 50*F and rainy, but the lovely captain and tour guide had blankets, binoculars and ponchos for us to use to ensure our tour was comfortable. We got to see the Jacobite train go by with perfect timing and lots of steam and got to see several things we didn't expect! Would DEFINITELY recommend to anyone!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tracey
Aug 23, 2024
Great Morning, Excellent Hosts - Ali and Stewart were great hosts. Very cold day and they had shelter and blankets at the ready. Great photo opportunity for the Jacobite Express, though at a distance. Don’t have expectations of being too close, but it's still good. Commentary was great. We did this instead of attempting the madness of parking at the visitors centre. Totally worth it and bonus to have coffee and cake at the Glenfinnan House Hotel afterwards.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tracey_g
Aug 17, 2024
Great Moring, Spectacular Scenery - Great crew with Ali and Stewart. Spectacular scenery. The steam train across the Viaduct was a bit distant but well worth it to avoid the crazy crowds at the Viaduct carpark. We had a cold windy day on the loch but blankets were provided as well as binoculars. Ali and Stewart pointed out the Harry Potter filming spots. Bonus mini bar. The Glenfinnan House Hotel was lovely for lunch afterwards.
Review provided by Viator
Denisez96
Aug 11, 2024
Beautiful boat tour in nature - We did the 2h tour at 10:40. It was a wonderful relaxing tour of Loch Shiel. Binoculars on the boat were very useful. You can see a lot of barely touched nature. The start of the tour with the train that runs over the Glenfinnan Viaduct is a sympathetic start. Crew very tried and likeable. highly recommended
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mc03072014e
Aug 3, 2024
A lovely cruise with some surprise sightings! - Really enjoyed this cruise. Our skipper, Ali was really welcoming and knowledgeable. We saw the Jacobite steam train cross Glenfinnan viaduct then at the halfway point of the cruise we were lucky enough to see a white tailed eagle catch her dinner! Highly recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Y6879yadanaj
Jul 31, 2024
Fabulous Cruise! - Wonderful cruise even though the weather was drizzly! Great views and the boat was very comfortable. We had ages ranging from 16-76 and it was fun for the entire family!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
280morganes
Jul 29, 2024
Great cruise - Very nice cruise! The weather was not great, but the boat was well equipped (e.g with poncho) and we still enjoyed a lot of great views.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Philrh1211uw
Jul 27, 2024
Sites of Harry Potter with a little sprinkle of magic! - An excellent time! Well worth every penny. Kind and knowledgeable crew who shared their love of this area with us. Travelled up from Essex; staying in Lochgilphead and booked this along with the gondola at Ben Nevis. Seeing the Harry Potter filming sites was what we signed up for, but seeing a white tailed eagle dive for fish right in front of us was a real moment. Spotting red deer on the banks of the loch also a great memory- the captain of the boat even gave me his top of the range binoculars to use. Blankets and waterproofs provided on a chilly & wet July day; these were a bonus and very homely touch! Thank you for a lovely time!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Philippa_h
Jul 18, 2024
Fantastic Boat Tour - Wonderfully friendly and knowledgeable crew! I would recommed doing the cruise first thing and then hiking up to the viaduct viewing point afterward to see the train going back to get the best experience. I would definitely recommend it to friends and family.
Review provided by Viator
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