Are you a Potterhead? If so you must visit the Glenfinnan Viaduct on your trip to Scotland. Even if you’re not a huge Harry Potter Fan it’s a really cool experience to watch the ‘Hogwarts Express’ a.k.a The Jacobite travel across the iconic Glenfinnan Viaduct to Hogwarts (okay so it doesn’t really go there, it goes from Fort William to Mallaig). You can even ride on the train, and book ‘Harry Potter’ compartments, if you want to do this you’ll need to book far in advance on the Jacobite website
In fact, the Hogwarts Express travelling over the Viaduct is shown in 3 of the Harry Potter movies, the most recognisable is when Harry and Ron are in the flying car over the bridge and are then all of sudden are chased by the Hogwarts Express coming up fast behind them!
The viaduct is a 416 metre long curving bridge, and as is actually Scotland’s longest concrete bridge.
Here’s all you need to know to see the Harry Potter train
To see the Glenfinnan Viaduct park at the visitors centre, this costs £3.50. Try to get there at least 45 mins before the train passes (more on this further down). If this first car park is full there is a second car park just next to it which costs the same price.
Firstly the Jacobite Train is a seasonal and so only runs from May – October so you’ll need to be visiting during these months to have a chance of seeing it.
The best viewpoint
The best view to see the Jacobite is from a hillside where the viaduct is on your left here you’ll be able to see the train face on. To get to the pathm walk to the second car park from the back of the first car park and you’ll see a path winding its way down towards the bridge.
Follow the path all the way and it’ll take you under the bridge, then you’ll go through a gate and the path will continue up the hillside, unless you’re the first one here you’ll probably see people waiting along the path. It does get really busy here so if you’re visiting in the summer months get here at least 45 minutes before the train passes. From the car park it takes about 15 – 20 minutes to walk up to the hillside.
The train can take between 30-45 minutes to reach the viaduct, when it’s near you’ll see a puff of steam in the distance at the other end of the bridge. Then you’ll see it, it’s amazing and you’ll even find yourself waving to those who are travelling on the train. It’s a really cool experience and an absolute must if you’re a Potterhead!
What time does the Harry Potter train pass?
Check here for the latest timetable, the train takes about 30 minutes from Fort William to reach the Glenfinnan Viadauct. Note that the times the train crosses the bridge varies whether it’s a weekday or a Saturday. We visited on a Monday and got to the viewpoint for about 10:15am and the train passed at around 10:50am
What else is there to do?
There is also short 5 minute path that starts next to the Visitor Centre which takes you to a viewpoint of the Glenn Fiannan Monument and the Viaduct on the other side.
You can also take a walk across the road to get up close to the Glenfinnan Monument. Alexander Macdonald of Glennladale had the Glennfinnan monument built in 1816 and this was to commemorate the raising of the royal standard and the bravery of his ancestors!
For more ideas on what to do in Scotland check out my other posts here.
