Perfect Weekend Day Trip from Edinburgh

Imagine being up before dawn in Edinburgh—jumping on an electric Ember E4 coach at 04:23 AM (George Street, The Dome stop), nerves tingling as mist floats over the Highlands. By 07:12 AM, you're stepping off into the wild at Glencoe, ready to hike the craggy ridges of the Pap of Glencoe, breathing in the scent of heather and fresh pine. 🥾 Pap of Glencoe Hike ● Trailhead: Glencoe village, ~20 mins walk from the bus stop ● Duration: 3 hours return ● Difficulty: Strenuous, steep but manageable ● Reward: Sweeping views over Loch Leven and the Glencoe mountains Post-hike, you slip into another bus continuing north, mind full of views. By 01:25 PM, you arrive in Fort William—the outdoor capital of the Highlands. 🚍 Route 9 ¾ Shuttle to Glenfinnan By 02:00 PM, you're boarding the whimsical Route 9 ¾ “Harry Potter” shuttle from Fort William Bus Station. At 03:00 PM, you’re perched beside the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct, steam curling over the stone arches as the Jacobite steam train dreams its way by—twice if you time it right. Pure cinematic joy. 🚂 The Train Spotting Moment The Jacobite typically crosses Glenfinnan Viaduct around: ● 04:00 PM eastbound (return to Fort William) ● 06:00 PM eastbound (return to Fort William) 🚌 Evening Return to Edinburgh Under the pinking sky, you catch the 08:13 PM Ember E4 from Fort William, pulling into Edinburgh (George Street) at 11:37 PM—just before midnight. 💷 Costs (approximate, booked in advance): ● Ember E4 Edinburgh ↔ Glencoe ↔ Fort William: £44 return ● Route 9 ¾ shuttle Fort William ↔ Glenfinnan: £8 return 📌 Trip Tips ● Wear hiking boots + a rain jacket (Highland weather is unpredictable!) ● Pack water and snacks—limited options at Glenfinnan ✨ All told, for about £50, you’ve carved out an unforgettable Highland day: a sunrise hike in Glencoe, a brush with Hogwarts magic at Glenfinnan, and a moonlit return to Edinburgh.