5 Epic Things to See in Glenfinnan & Glencoe

Glenfinnan and Glencoe are some great areas to explore on your Scotland road trip. Both are conveniently located near Fort William. This was a great home base for our 2 days in the area. There is lots to see in the area, and your time is best split among the two locations as we’ve listed below. If you have more flexibility in your itinerary we’d suggest devoting a few days to Glencoe because there is so much more we would have loved to see, but a short time in this gorgeous area was better than none at all. Keep reading to see how we spend 2 days in Glenfinnan and Glencoe.

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Things to See in Glenfinnan & Glencoe (Part 1: Glenfinnan)

 Glenfinnan Viaduct

Seeing the Jacobite Steam Train cross the Glenfinnan Viaduct is one of the very best things to do near Fort William (& if you’re a Harry Potter fan, it may very well be what brought you to the area in the first place). This is one of the trickier things to time when it comes to planning your epic Scotland road trip so you don’t what to approach it half-heartedly. You’ll want to check the timetables ahead of time to make sure you know when to be on the hillside and ready to capture the iconic shot. It should take approximately 30 minutes after the train departs from Fort William for it to cross the viaduct.

Our biggest tip is to arrive early because you don’t want to be in the position we found ourselves in scrambling up the hillside for a decent spot just before the train crossed. The drive from Fort William will take about 30 minutes, and finding parking at the visitor’s center can be a bit of a challenge. The walk to the hillside is relatively short and will take you right underneath the viaduct. You’ll be able to tell you’re in the right spot from the crowd of people on the hill. While the experience did end up being more of a hassle than expected, it was definitely worth it.

Glenfinnan Monument

After watching the train and making it back to the parking lot, cross to the other side and follow the well marked path for views of the Glenfinnan Monument. The tribute to the fallen Jacobite soldiers is nestled on the edge of Loch Shiel and offers a stunning view of the surrounding countryside. There are several trails that will lead you farther up the hill and offer greater vantage points. You can read more about the Glenfinnan Monument here.

Loch Elit

Loch Elit is just a 15 minute drive from the Glenfinnan Visitors Center. If you don’t recognize the name, you’ll likely recognize the photograph. Loch Elit has been featured in many films throughout the years, and the small island, Eilean na Moine, you see above was featured in a Harry Potter film. It’s a fun quick stop before heading back towards Fort William.

Things to See in Glenfinnan & Glencoe (Part 2: Glencoe)

Three Sisters Viewpoint

From Fort William it is approximately a 30 minute drive to the Three Sisters Viewpoint. There are ample pull offs on the side of the road. You’ll want to start your drive through Glencoe relatively early in the day allowing you to take your time to marvel at the impressive views. We stayed in the area until sundown, and trust us, golden hour was simply incredible. We’d suggest wearing layers as it was quite chilly even in the summer.

Buachaille Etive Mòr & Lagangarbh Hut (aka that Little White Cottage in Glencoe!)

This was the epic mountain view we were searching for in Glencoe, and it did not disappoint. The iconic little white cottage is located to the left of the impressive mountain. Take your time to wander around and appreciate the views that truly are unlike anything we’d ever scene. If you have more daylight, consider taking a short hike or exploring a side road. That’s the great thing about Glencoe the scenery is stunning no matter where you look!

Planning a trip to Scotland?

Check out our itineraries for Edinburgh, Inverness, and Isle of Skye. Our road trip through Scotland was one of our favorite trips we’ve ever taken. From historic castles to awe-inspiring scenery, Scotland has no shortage of adventure to offer.