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The Jacobite or Harry Potter Steam Train

August 2004

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From Fort William Railway Station, near Ben Nevis, Scotland, UK, take an 84 mile round trip to the fishing harbour of Mallaig on The West Highland Railway line aboard the steam train The Jacobite. Jacobite dates and times
Enjoy a short stop at Glenfinnan Railway Station just after the Glenfinnan Viaduct where Harry Potter hangs on for dear life from the door handle of the Weasley's Ford Anglia motor car after it is almost crushed by the Hogwarts Express.

The Glenfinnan viaduct, parts of the route and surrounding wonderful Scottish mountain scenery were used in the filming of the Harry Potter films. West Coast Railway Company, operators of The Jacobite, provided the carriages for the Hogwarts Express. www.westcoastrailways.co.uk/

The train makes a short stop at Glenfinnan Railway Station. During the 20 minute (or thereabout) you may just have time to go down to Lochshiel for a quick photo of the Glenfinnan Monument for the Scottish Soldier, commemorating the raising of Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Standard to rally the highland clans for the 1745 failed rebellion but you will have to be quick. Confirm with the station staff that you will have time before you head off (it's steep uphill all the way back). If your not super fit, just content yourself with a visit to the Station Museum and buy a postcard. glenfinnan/monument

You get about an hour and a half at Mallaig where you can wander the harbour and maybe see some fish being unloaded.
Watch the seagulls battle with seals in a feeding frenzy for discarded prawns as the fisherman clean their catch. Then get some lunch. There was a hotel overlooking the railway station that did a reasonably priced fish and chips. www.mallaigheritage.org.uk/

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