The Jacobite Steam Train - Board the Hogwarts Express
The West Highland Line between Fort William and Mallaig is one of the world’s great railway journeys.
It’s also known for its film role as Harry Potter’s route to school.
The Glenfinnan Railway Viaduct sweeps through some of Scotland’s most beautiful scenery. Explore the white-sand coastline between Arisaig and Morar. Spot the small isles of Canna, Eigg, Rùm and Muck from the shore. The fishing port of Mallaig sits along the famous Road to the Isles. Follow the Mallaig Circuit walk to reach the remote Knoydart peninsula – “Britain’s last wilderness”.
The West Highland Railway Line was voted Number One in The World by readers of Wanderlust magazine. When you combine this scenic rail journey with a trip on a steam hauled train it’s a real treat! Travel aboard the real Hogwarts Express to see mountains, lochs and, of course, the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct and Bonnie Prince Charlie statue.
The whistle blows and it’s all aboard the trip of a lifetime with Scottish Tours
Fun Facts about the Jacobite Steam train
- The Jacobite Steam Train has appeared in all 8 Harry Potter films as the Hogwarts Express.
- The islands of Canna, Eigg, Muck and Rum are part of archipelago known as the "Small Isles".
- The Caledonian Canal was built between 1803 and 1822 by Thomas Telford to link the North Sea to the Atlantic Ocean.
- Loch Nan Uamh is where Bonnie Prince Charlie left Scotland for France after defeat in the 1745 Jacobite Rebellion.
- Thanks to the warming waters of the Gulf Stream exotic plants thrive in the sheltered gardens of Arisaig House.
Things to see...
The Glenfinnan Monument stands as a tribute to those who gave their lives for the Jacobite cause. Climb to the top to the statue of the lone Highlander for panoramic views.
Thomas Telford’s Caledonian Canal stretches 60 miles from Inverness to near Fort William. This engineering feat links lochs as it sweeps through the magnificent Great Glen.
Over 100 years, attempts to restore the Stuarts to the throne ultimately led to the tragic Battle of Culloden. Many clans fought alongside Bonnie Prince Charlie in the 1745 Jacobite Uprising. Culloden was also where Outlander’s Jamie and Claire said their goodbyes in the fictional TV series.
Enjoy a truly magical experience aboard the real-life Hogwarts Express. Puffing past lush scenery, you’ll recognise many landmarks from the Harry Potter films, including Loch Shiel, AKA the Dark Lake, and Dumbledore’s final resting place at the isle of Eilan na Moine. Best of all is the dramatic crossing of Glenfinnan Viaduct, as you traverse its 21 giant arches.
Catch ‘the Road to the Isles’ and visit this traditional fishing port where you’ll enjoy the perfect blend of sightseeing and Highland hospitality. Stretch your legs with a stroll around the Mallaig Circuit, complete with glorious views of Loch Nevis and Knoydart. Or relax beside the bustling harbour and watch the ferries and fishing boats coming and going.
Throw off your shoes and feel the sand between your toes at one of Scotland’s most famous beaches. Morar’s beautifully unspoilt coastline played a starring role in both Local Hero and Highlander. Bonnie Prince Charlie is also said to have hurried along the shore as he fled his enemies in 1746, his footsteps now washed away by centuries of time and tide.
Journey back 250 years and immerse yourself in the fascinating life of Prince Charles Edward Stuart. Learn how the ‘Young Pretender’ raised his Jacobite army in an attempt to seize the British throne – and see where he made his valiant last stand at Culloden. Packed with romance, intrigue and bloody battles, discover how his legacy still reverberate around the Highlands.
Looming large over its surrounding peaks, the 4,406ft-high Ben Nevis dominates all around it as the tallest mountain in the UK. Forbidding and imposing, it’s a magnet for climbers and walkers determined to reach its snow-capped summit. Seen from afar it is equally impressive, with nearby Fort William the ideal spot to appreciate its raw natural beauty.
Expertly built by the great Thomas Telford, this astonishing feat of engineering has to be seen to be believed. Wander its length and marvel at a dramatic staircase of eight locks that raises the Caledonian Canal by 62ft over a quarter of a mile. As the longest of its kind in Scotland, it’s fitting that the mighty Ben Nevis forms the perfect backdrop.
Tours that visit Jacobite steam train
Jacobite Steam Train, Skye and The Highlands Small Group Tour
Isle of Skye and the Jacobite Steam Train
Edinburgh, Skye and Jacobite Steam Train Experience
Skye, Orkney and the North Coast 500 Small Group Tour
Jacobite Steam Train, Glenfinnan and The Highlands
Magical Skye and the Jacobite Steam Train Small Group Tour
