A stranded family holidaying in the Scottish Highlands was rescued by the train from the Harry Potter films.

Jon and Helen Cluett were on a canoe trip in Lochaber with their four children.

After their boat was washed away by a flooded river, they faced a long journey back.

“The stream burst its banks. The whole area was under water. The rocks I had tied the boat to were torn apart and the boat was gone,” Cluett told the BBC.

They didn’t have many options: either a five-kilometer hike through swampy terrain with their young children or a walk along the nearby railway line.

The family decided that both were too dangerous.

The family was stranded miles away from their car and called the police for help.

“In the end I came to the conclusion that the only option was to call the police and mountain rescue and ask if they knew the area and could help us,” said Cluett.

The authorities arranged an unscheduled stop for the steam train called the “Jacobite” to pick up the Cluetts.

“I’m a little sad about losing my boat – but when the children saw the steam train coming, all the sadness on their faces disappeared and was replaced with excitement and fun – just the real joy of having an adventure and seeing the train stop right next to them,” he said.

The train dropped the family off at the next stop, Lochailort, and Mr Cluett was able to hitchhike back to his car.

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He continues to hope that a local will see his canoe floating in the lake.

The Jacobite, operated by Westcoast Railways, takes passengers on an 83-mile round trip past the scenic mountains and lochs of the Scottish Highlands. A first-class ticket costs about $71.