The Hogwarts Express is, in fact, a scheduled train on the West Highland Line. Harry Potter fans (or steam enthusiasts) can travel from Fort William to Mallaig aboard the Jacobite in just over 2 hours. The train runs from April to September (with additional “festive specials” in December). You can then spend some time in the beautiful port of Mallaig, before you make the return journey, or you can take the ferry over to Skye where a qualified STGA tour guide can pick you up and continue your tour.
If you have the time, you can journey the whole West Coast Line from Glasgow to Mallaig in 5½ hours
Often described as the world’s most scenic rail journey, you pass through some of Scotland’s most spectacular scenery to the wild, west coast with its beautiful beaches. Departing from the foot of Scotland’s highest mountain, you will pass Britain’s deepest freshwater loch and Scotland’s shortest river; cross heather moors and travel through remote villages; you will almost certainly see deer and, if you’re lucky, an eagle. On your way, you cross the Glenfinnan Viaduct, the longest concrete railway bridge in Scotland with 21 spans, 100 feet high, dating to 1898.
This spectacular area was the place where Bonnie Prince Charlie raised his standard of rebellion in 1745. Arriving from France, he was joined by a small number of MacDonalds, Camerons, Macfies and MacDonnells. Marching south he got to Derby, only 100 miles from London, before turning back to ultimate defeat at Culloden.
