Located in the stunning Scottish Highlands, the Glenfinnan Viaduct is a symbol of Scotland’s rich history.
The majestic arches have even found their place on the silver screen, most notably in the Harry Potter films. The viaduct is featured prominently in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, where the famous Hogwarts Express is seen traveling over it.
As The Mirror reports, the real steam train crossing the 300-metre-long and 30-metre-high railway bridge is a sight to behold. The locomotive is often referred to as the Jacobite Steam Train and offers fans of the film series the opportunity to live out their Harry Potter fantasy.
Twice a day, tourists can travel in the train’s real carriages and pretend they are on their way to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Even if you’re not a Harry Potter fan, a ride on the Jacobite is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
In the films, Harry and his friends travel to Hogsmeade Station in beautiful, historic railway carriages. In reality, the 67-kilometre stretch of railway between Fort William and Mallaig passes some of Scotland’s most impressive natural landmarks, including the country’s highest mountain and the deepest inlet in Mallaig.
The magic of this journey can still be felt today, as West Coast Railways operates the Jacobite steam train on the same route. Tickets are available for those who wish to travel by train, but spectators can also catch a glimpse of the iconic locomotive for free.
Travel bloggers Charlotte_n_james recently took an extensive tour of Scotland, including a visit to the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct. They joined a group of other enthusiasts and climbed the valley embankments to watch the train pass by.
In a video posted on Instagram, they explained: “The best tip is to watch from the vantage point facing the opposite direction of the train, so if the train is heading east, you’ll be on the west bank. It’s a bit of a scramble to climb up the hills to get a nice spot to wait.”
The couple, who travelled more than four hours to “fulfill their childhood dream of seeing the train to Hogwarts”, offered further advice in their Instagram post. They added: “We caught the 3.15pm train after driving over from the east coast of Scotland. There are around three trains a day in each direction but check as the last ones weren’t running on the day we went.”
They also warned: “The parking lot was packed and about 200 to 300 people were lined up at various spots around the bridge to be shot. So, as everyone says, come early to get a parking spot or just when the park is being emptied of the train beforehand.”
Those who follow the travel bloggers and want to enjoy this iconic view should know that the walk from the main car park takes about 20 minutes and is not suitable for strollers or wheelchairs. The morning train goes to the viewpoint, while the afternoon train goes away from it.
Those who want to experience the magic of the train up close can view it before its departure at either Fort William or Mallaig stations. The Jacobite Steam Train departs at 10:45am in the morning and 3:15pm in the afternoon.
It is always advisable to check the timetable before departure to ensure that everything runs smoothly.
Getting to Glenfinnan Viaduct
Located about 30 minutes west of Fort William on the A830, the Glenfinnan Viaduct is easily accessible. Parking is managed by the National Trust and costs £3 per vehicle. Additional parking is available if the main car park is full.
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